Japan beat Bahrain 2-0 in Saitama on Thursday to become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and extend their run of successive appearances at the finals to eight. The 2026 tournament will be staged in the United States,

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 at Saitama Stadium on Thursday. Second-half goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo ensured the Samurai Blue secured a spot in Asia Group C's top two automatic qualification places.

Japan has become the first country to qualify for the 2026 World Cup beyond the tournament’s three hosts. The nation secured its berth in the expanded 48-team field on Thursday with a 2-0 win against Bahrain,

There was outcry in the English media. In its bid to end its decades-long wait for a trophy, England’s national team had turned to a German.

Five months after the announcement his appointment, Thomas Tuchel takes the England reigns for the first time on Friday night, Wembley playing host to the Three Lions opening World Cup qualifier against Albania.

Tuchel is currently leading his first England camp and will manage his first game against Albania at Wembley on Friday night.