Japan secures 2026 World Cup spot, Endo urges victory belief

Japan became the first nation to qualify for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over Bahrain, thanks to goals from Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo. Captain Wataru Endo emphasized that the team's ambitions extend beyond just qualifying, urging fans to believe they can win the tournament. He stated that while qualifying is significant, they aim to make a real impact at the World Cup, having never advanced past the last 16 in previous tournaments. Endo's leadership has been pivotal, as he has started in most qualifying matches, and he noted the team's depth and individual talent as crucial for their success. Japan will continue their qualifying campaign with matches against Saudi Arabia, Australia, and Indonesia in the coming months. The team's focus remains on improvement and setting high expectations as they prepare for the tournament in North America next summer.