If Hajime Moriyasu’s side can maintain their formidable form in Asia’s qualifiers at Saitama Stadium against Bahrain on Thursday, then Japan will be the first nation to book their place at the 2026 World Cup.
A win would ensure the Japanese end the matchday second in Group C and advance to next year’s finals alongside co-hosts the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
The Japanese have taken six qualifiers and only dropped two points – a 1-1 draw with Australia in October – and boast a 10-point cushion over third-placed Indonesia with four games to be played.
Australia sits second in the group on automatic qualification with nine points less than the Samurai Blue, but the Socceroos are just a point ahead of Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China.
When naming his squad last week, Moriyasu said: “Nothing is decided yet, and I think in front of us we ought to put at No 1 where we can play with our ability to win the following game, and be sure of World Cup qualification.”
Australia faced an Indonesia team coached by new boss Patrick Kluivert for the first time while Saudi Arabia hosted China in Riyadh.
In Group B, perennial qualifiers South Korea are close to progressing, with Hong Myung-bo’s side needing a win against Oman in Goyang on Thursday before securing another positive result against Jordan.
South Korea have 14 points after six qualifiers, three more than second-placed Iraq with Jordan in third a further two points adrift.
Iraq, who have not qualified for the finals since 1986, host fifth-placed Kuwait in Basra and Palestine face a tough test against Jordan in Amman.
Iran, also in Group A, can also move closer to a spot in the finals when they travel to Tehran to face the UAE.
The team of Amir Ghalenoei were three points clear at the top of the standings from Uzbekistan with a further three points clear of the UAE.
While Uzbekistan welcome Kyrgyzstan in Tashkent, Qatar play at home to North Korea, and the latter needing a victory to keep alive any hope of automatic World Cup berth.