World Cup will have a record 48 teams, and Japan became the first nation excluding the three hosts to secure a spot. Other teams could follow in the current international window. Next year's tournament in the United States,

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

Japan became the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday as Daichi Kamada and Takefusa Kubo struck in the second half to earn Hajime Moriyasu's side a 2-0 win over Bahrain at Saitama Stadium and confirm their place at next year's finals.

England captain Harry Kane has praised Thomas Tuchel's methods ahead of the coach's first match in charge, hoping that his straightforward approach will help England finally win a second World Cup. Tuchel,

Over five months on from Thomas Tuchel's appointment as England's new manager, the German will finally take charge of the team for the first time in Friday's World Cup qualifier