The Asian World Cup qualifiers for the 2026 tournament kicked off with surprising results and dominant performances, reshaping the landscape of Asian football. Japan made a resounding statement by crushing China 7-0 in Saitama, marking their third-largest victory in World Cup qualifying history. The Samurai Blue showcased their offensive prowess with goals from multiple players, including Premier League stars Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo.Japan’s coach, Hajime Moriyasu, expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “It was a great day. The team played with a lot of passion and energy, and it was a great team effort”. This victory puts Japan at the top of their group with 3 points and a significant goal difference.In a shocking upset, Bahrain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Australia. The winning goal came in the 89th minute when a cross from Bahrain’s Abdullah Al-Khalasi led to an own goal by Australian defender Harry Souttar. This unexpected result has put Bahrain level with Japan at the top of their group.Meanwhile, Palestine earned a commendable 0-0 draw against South Korea in Seoul. Despite being ranked 96th in FIFA’s rankings, Palestine’s resilient defense, led by goalkeeper Rami Hamadeh, held off the star-studded Korean attack featuring Tottenham’s Son Heung-min. Palestine’s coach, Makram Daboub, praised his team’s performance, saying, “They were good value for the draw”.These results have set the stage for an intriguing qualifying campaign. The top two teams from each group will progress directly to the 2026 World Cup finals, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With Asia guaranteed eight spots in the expanded 48-team World Cup, and the possibility of a ninth through an intercontinental playoff, the competition for qualification is expected to be fierce.
Key points
- Japan secured a historic 7-0 victory over China in the Asian World Cup qualifiers.
- Bahrain upset Australia with a 1-0 win, thanks to a late own goal.
- Palestine held South Korea to a surprising 0-0 draw in Seoul.
- These results have shaken up the qualifying groups, with Japan and Bahrain leading their group with 3 points each.
