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Agence France-Presse

Japan can become the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this week while Son Heung-min will try to forget his Tottenham woes by firing South Korea to the finals.
Asian nations play two rounds of games, on Thursday and Tuesday, as qualifying for the enlarged 48-team tournament in North America approaches the business end in the region.
Japan will seal their spot with three qualifying matches to go if, as expected, they beat Bahrain at home in Saitama on Thursday.
Even if they stumble, it looks only a matter of time until they secure a place in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as they have another home match – against Saudi Arabia – next week.
Hajime Moriyasu’s side are nine points clear of Australia at the top of Group C, having won five and drawn one of their six games in this phase of qualifying, scoring 22 goals and conceding twice.

Moriyasu named a full-strength squad led by Liverpool’s Wataru Endo and Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma, but said there were plenty of other players who deserved call-ups.
“There are a lot of players who are showing what they can do in the J. League and in Europe, and wouldn’t look out of place in this squad,” he said.
There are three groups in the third Asian qualifying round for 2026, with the top two in each going straight to the World Cup.
Japan are sitting pretty on 16 points with four matches to play but the five-way battle to qualify second from the group could go to the wire.
Australia have seven points, while Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and China all have six.
The Socceroos, who are without several players through injury, on Thursday host an Indonesia side in Sydney led for the first time by Barcelona and Dutch great Patrick Kluivert.
Indonesia have leaned heavily on the Netherlands as they look to reach the World Cup for the first time since the Asian nation gained independence from the Dutch in 1945.

Indonesia have recruited a dozen players born in the Netherlands and in January added Kluivert as coach, with Jordi Cruyff also coming in as technical adviser.
South Korea are well on their way and will seal their spot at the 2026 World Cup with home wins over Oman and Jordan.
The 32-year-old forward Son has struggled for fitness and form in the Premier League this season, scoring seven times for Spurs, with the London club languishing in the bottom half of the table.
But the skipper continues to be South Korea’s talisman, with 51 goals in 131 appearances.
“There are many discussions regarding his recent form, including his goal tally,” said coach Hong Myung-bo.
“However, we must not forget everything he has accomplished so far.”
South Korea have been dealt a blow with the loss of Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae to an Achilles tendon injury.
South Korea top Group B with 14 points, with Iraq – who are likely to clinch second place – on 11. Jordan are third on nine points.
Iraq next face Kuwait and Palestine, the bottom two in the group.
Iran lead the way in Group A with 16 points from six games, ahead of Uzbekistan on 13 and the United Arab Emirates on 10.
Qatar, who won the Asian Cup on home soil 13 months ago, are fourth on seven points.
Even if teams finish outside the top two, their World Cup hopes will not be over.
The teams that finish third and fourth in the three groups go through to a further round of qualifying.


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Fifa

Son Heung-min (right) has struggled in the Premier League this season but remains vital for his country. Photo: AP

Japan have named a full-strength squad, led by Liverpool’s Wataru Endo (front). Photo: Kyodo

Indonesia are now guided by Dutchmen Patrick Kluivert (coach, left) and Jordi Cruyff (technical adviser). Photo: AFP

Serginho (left) in action for Kashima Antlers against Vissel Kobe’s Andres Iniesta during the 2020 Emperor’s Cup final in Tokyo. Photo: AP

Another naturalised China player is Jiang Guangtai (left), who was born in Liverpool, England. Photo: AP

Teenager Liu Chengyu (left) has also been named for the matches against Saudi Arabia and Australia. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong triathletes challenged to book National Games spots at Asian Sprint Championships

From left, Oscar Coggins, Hilda Choi, Jason Ng and Wong Tsz-to are all expected to feature at the Asia Sprint Championships on home soil next month. Photo: Handout

Most of the city’s triathletes will be competing on April 5 and 6 at Central Harbourfront. Photo: Handout

Sport

Football

Japanese nine points clear of Australia in their group as region’s teams play fixtures on Thursday and Tuesday


Japanese nine points clear of Australia in their group as region’s teams play fixtures on Thursday and Tuesday.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Son Heung-min