First non-host team secures spot for 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside USA, Mexico, and Canada

With over a year remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, the qualification process is already heating up. While the host nations, USA, Mexico and Canada, are automatically included, one team has emerged as the first to secure its place through qualifiers, showcasing dominance in its group and ensuring no other competitor can overtake its position.

That team is Japan, which punched its ticket to the World Cup with a decisive 2-0 victory over Bahrain. Goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo sealed the result, cementing Japan’s position atop Group C in AFC World Cup qualifying. With three matches still to be played, Hajime Moriyasu’s squad has guaranteed its place on soccer’s grandest stage.

For the Japanese national team, which made its World Cup debut in France in 1998, this marks its eighth consecutive appearance on soccer’s biggest stage. Since then, Japan has consistently qualified, solidifying its reputation as one of the greatest soccer powers in Asia.

In four of those tournaments, including its most recent showing in Qatar, Japan advanced beyond the group stage but fell in the Round of 16. The 2026 World Cup will present a new challenge for the team as they aim to break past that barrier and secure their first-ever spot in the quarterfinals.

Captain Wataru Endo of Japan applauds fans as the team qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the 2-0 victory over Bahrain. (Koji Watanabe/Getty Images)

Which teams could qualify next?

While Japan leads the way, several other teams are on the brink of securing their spots. In Asia, Iran and South Korea are poised to qualify, as both currently top their respective groups.

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In South America, Argentina has a chance to lock in early qualification if they secure wins against Uruguay and Brazil while receiving favorable results in other matches.

Over in Oceania, the race is still open. New Caledonia, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Fiji are the semifinalists vying for the region’s sole automatic spot in the 2026 World Cup.