Japan favored in subsequent World Cup qualifying stage, however historical past provides pause

The third spherical of Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup kicks off this week, and whereas Japan’s possibilities of lacking out on a spot on the expanded 48-team match are vanishingly slim, it is going to be eager to keep away from related slip-ups to these skilled in its opening video games at this qualifying stage for the final two FIFA showpieces.

The Samurai Blue misplaced 1-0 at residence to Oman three years in the past, and likewise went down 2-1 to the UAE in entrance of their very own followers of their maiden third spherical qualifier for the 2018 match in Russia.

On every of these events, Japan did get well to safe a easy passage to the primary competitors, and with eight full World Cup slots now out there for AFC nations it might take an absolute disaster for Hajime Moriyasu’s males to overlook out on the subsequent version, which can be held in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.