Japan first team to seal World Cup spot as S Korea, Australia get closer

Good job Samurai Blue and good luck!

Two good goals but the defense looked pretty shaky. The goalkeeper bailed them out a couple of times. I hope they concentrate on fixing things like that now that qualification is in the bag.

What a show of dominance to become the first team to qualify for the World Cup. They will be one of the favorites next year.

Well done Japan. To concede only 2 goals in 7 games so far is impressive. Well played to the Socceroos too. I was amazed that the Indonesia side had 10 starters born in the Netherlands! Plus the legend Kluivert as manager.

What a show of dominance to become the first team to qualify for the World Cup. They will be one of the favorites next year.

After last night, Japan are being quoted at 80-1. Knock yourself out and put some coin down!

Congratulations Samurais for a hard fought match and world cup qualifications. However, the hard part just begin, time to leave all in the field.

6 teams qualify as group winners and runners up another two qualify through playoffs. That is EIGHT teams from Asia. Asia has, at best 3 or 4 teams that are good enough to even make up the numbers. The other 4 are a waste of time. There are a lot of European teams that would love the chance to qualify in Asia.

For the people that are complaining about the number of spots in Asia, a large part of the world population is from Asia, so they deserve more spots. The European countries should be better if they want to qualify. They need to qualify in their own region. That is how the qualification process works. I would rather see a strong Asian team play than a weak European one.

I am not so interested in where they come from, but 48 teams qualifying is too many.

It makes the tournament drag on, without adding much in the way of compelling content. It is all driven by commercial interests, not what is best for the players, fans, the sport of football, or sports in general. An ever expanding Champions League isn't an improvement either.

A well done to Japan and I'll look forward to watching them, but they're a team with some very good players and would probably qualify even if it were still 24 teams.

Well done Japan. To concede only 2 goals in 7 games so far is impressive.

Yes, it is good performance. I hope Japan can go to quarter final this time. Gambare!

"Yes, it is good performance. I hope Japan can go to quarter final this time. Gambare!"

I believe, with tight defense are more creative midfield the Samurais are capable of going all the way to the final. This young team is the most gifted as I have seen for a long time

The quick-thinking and fast-moving footballers from the land of the Rising Sun are first to reach the 2026 World Cup. Well done Samurais.

Good! Wouldn’t be as fun without Japan. That said, cinching the win in such a group is not all that huge a bragging right.

Japantime...

For the people that are complaining about the number of spots in Asia, a large part of the world population is from Asia, so they deserve more spots.

By your logic China and India should get automatic places or maybe even two places each?