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