Japan Nears 2026 World Cup Qualification with Bahrain Match Looming

Japan could secure their place in the expanded World Cup with a win, while South Korea faces challenges despite being close to qualification.

Japan leads Group C with 16 points and will qualify for the 2026 World Cup if they defeat Bahrain on Thursday.
South Korea, topping Group B, needs wins against Oman and Jordan to secure their qualification but has lost key defender Kim Min-jae to injury.
Indonesia has bolstered their squad with Dutch-born players and hired Patrick Kluivert as coach, intensifying competition for Group C's second spot.
Australia, currently second in Group C, faces tight competition from Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and China, who are close in points.
Iran leads Group A with 16 points, followed by Uzbekistan and the UAE, as teams vie for automatic qualification or advancement through additional rounds.