Hosts Japan take on Bahrain in a crucial FIFA World Cup 2026, Asian qualifiers at Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Here's all you need to know about the JPN vs BRN football match. (More Football News)
Hajime Moriyasu's men are enjoying a fine run since losing to Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2022 on penalties -- won 22 of the following 27 matches. A draw today should be enough for Japan to confirm a 2026 ticket.
Unbeaten Japan enter the Bahrain fixture as Group C leaders, with five wins and one draw in six outings. They also have a far superior goal difference of +20, 19 more than what second-place Australia have managed. Australia take on visiting Indonesia on Thursday in Sydney.
Conversely, Bahrain are fifth in the six-team Group C and have won one win -- a shock 1-0 victory Down Under against the Socceroos in their AFC third-round opener in September last year. A few days after that win, Dragan Talajic's Reds suffered a 0-5 mauling at the hands of Japan in the reverse fixture of this tie.
Japan vs Bahrain head-to-head record
Japan and Bahrain have met 14 times in all competitions, and the former have won all but three matches. Bahrain have two wins and one match ended in a draw.
Japan vs Bahrain Predicted Starting XIs
Japan: Suzuki; Seko, Itakura, H Ito, J Ito, Endo, Tanaka, Mitoma; Kubo, Kamada; Furuhashi.
Bahrain: Lutfalla; Al-Shamsan, Benadi, Al-Hayam, Al-Khalasi; Saeed, Al-Aswad; Madan, Marhoon, Al-Humaidan; Romaihi.
Japan Vs Bahrain, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers - Live Streaming Details
When to watch the Japan Vs Bahrain, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match?
The Japan Vs Bahrain, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match will be played at the Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The match will start at 4:05 pm IST.
Where to watch the live streaming of the Japan Vs Bahrain, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match?
The live streaming of the Japan Vs Bahrain, FIFA World Cup 2026 AFC Qualifiers match will be available on the FanCode app and website.
