It would be another six months before Scotland's journey towards ending their World Cup hiatus would even begin, but Japan had already stamped their ticket. On a memorable night in Saitama, head coach Hajime Moriyasu was soaked in all kinds of liquids after a 2-0 win over Bahrain that meant the Japanese became the first non-hosts to make this summer's tournament, their eighth World Cup in succession and a full 15 months before it gets under way. Moriyasu is something of a hero in the Land of the Rising Sun, having masterminded extraordinary come-from-behind victories over four-time winners Germany and 2010 champions Spain during the last tournament in Qatar. Their campaign ended in penalty heartache against Croatia despite Celtic's Daizen Maeda giving them the lead. But Moriyasu has guided them back to the biggest show of them all with a steely determination in the hope of finally breaking the second-round barrier they have yet to overcome in four previous attempts.

Source: BBC March 27, 2026 14:29 UTC