FIFA confirm Japan as 1st country to qualify for 2026 World Cup as Nigeria risk missing out

• FIFA person confirmed the archetypal state to suffice for the 2026 World Cup adjacent twelvemonth successful North America
• Japan confirmed their qualification aft beating Bahrain 2-0 successful the AFC Round 3 qualifier Group C
• The Super Eagles of Nigeria are astatine hazard of missing retired connected consecutive tournaments aft a mediocre start

The Federation of International Football Association person confirmed the archetypal state to suffice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup successful the USA, Canada and Mexico adjacent year.

The 3 North American countries won the associated bid to big the 23rd quadrennial tourney which volition beryllium the archetypal to big the expanded 48 countries.

Takefusa Kubo observe aft scoring for Japan against Bahrain. Photo by Jiji Press.
Source: Getty Images

USA volition big the bulk of the matches, portion neighbours Canada and Mexico volition big selected matches crossed 16 antithetic cities successful the 3 countries.

Japan suffice for 2026 World Cup

According to FIFA.com, Japan person go the archetypal state to suffice for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, joining co-hosts USA, Canada and Mexico successful the tournament.

The Samurai Blue confirmed their qualification aft beating Bahrain 2-0 successful the AFC qualification circular 3 radical C lucifer to unfastened an unassailable pb successful the group.

It's the eighth consecutive qualification for the Japanese who co-hosted the tourney with South Korea and person been qualifying for each tourney since the 1998 variation successful France.

Japan person picked up 1 of the 8 nonstop slots allocated to the AFC, with lone UEFA (16) and CAF (9) having much automatic slots for the tourney which volition beryllium played by 48 countries.

Japan caput manager Hajime Moriyashu addresses the fans aft qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Photo by Kaz Photography.
Source: Getty Images

Super Eagles hazard missing out

In different developments, Nigeria are astatine hazard of missing retired connected qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World, which volition beryllium their consecutive lack having missed the 2022 variation successful Qatar.

The three-time African champions started the Group C qualifying run poorly and person 3 points aft 4 games successful the radical containing South Africa, Benin Republic, Rwanda, Lesotho and Zimbabwe.

Nigeria nether Jose Peseiro drew against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, portion erstwhile subordinate Finidi George coached a gully against South Africa and mislaid to Benin Republic.

A 3rd coach, Eric Chelle is acceptable to negociate the Eagles during the qualifiers and helium has the immense task of turning astir the country's fortunes contempt a mediocre start.

According to the NFF, the Super Eagles volition look the Wasps of Rwanda successful Kigali and the Warriors of Zimbabwe astatine the Godswill Akpabio Stadium successful Uyo successful must-win games during the March planetary break.

Failure to prime up maximum points successful some games volition heavy interaction their chances of being 1 of Africa's flagbearers astatine the Mundial successful North America adjacent year.

Lookman speaks up of Rwanda clash

Legit.ng reported that Ademola Lookman shared his thoughts up of the Super Eagles’ important matches against Rwanda and Zimbabwe successful the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The existent African Footballer of the Year, who is acceptable to play an planetary lucifer for the archetypal clip since winning the award, spoke astir the temper successful campy up of the games.

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Source: Legit.ng