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March 18 2025, 15:07 · Alex Lawes

Japan vs Bahrain Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)

Japan vs Bahrain Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (AFC)
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Japan have an excellent group of players and they have been dominant in Group C of the third round of AFC qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup ahead of facing Bahrain this week.

Kick-off date/time: Thursday 20th March, 2025: UK – 10:35am / US ET – 6:35am / US PT – 3:35am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Bet365 & FIFA+ / US – FIFA+

Key Stats

  • Japan have won ten of the previous 12 international matches between these teams (L2).
  • Japan won each of the previous four international matches between these teams in Japan without conceding a goal.
  • Japan have won 16 and drawn two of their last 18 World Cup qualifying matches. Since a 1-0 defeat against Saudi Arabia in October 2021.
  • Japan have lost only two of their last 28 World Cup qualifying matches in Japan (W22 D4).
  • Japan last conceded more than one goal in a World Cup qualifying match in a 2-1 defeat against the United Arab Emirates in September 2016.
  • Japan have won 22 of their last 25 international matches (D1 L2).
  • Bahrain are unbeaten in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches outside of Bahrain (W3 D4).
  • Bahrain have lost only two of their last ten World Cup qualifying matches (W3 D5).
  • Bahrain have drawn five of their last eight World Cup qualifying matches (W1 L2).
  • Bahrain have kept six clean sheets in their last seven World Cup qualifying matches outside of Bahrain.
  • Bahrain have won four of their last five international matches (L1).

Japan vs Bahrain Prediction

Japan have been improving throughout the last few years and lost on penalties in the Round of 16 of the 2022 FIFA World Cup having defeated both Germany and Spain in that tournament. Bahrain still have a very good chance of a top two spot in a very congested Group C.

The Blue Samurai have been relentless throughout qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with six wins out of six in the second round, scoring 24 goals, and they have now collected 16 points from six matches in the third round, scoring 22 goals in the process with an array of talent across the pitch.

They now take on a Bahrain side that finished behind the United Arab Emirates in Group H of the second round but sit just a point outside the automatic qualifying spots in the third round with Group C of the third round extremely competitive. Just one point separates Australia with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain ahead of the final four matches.

Despite being competitive thus far and still in with a shout, they have still managed just one win and going to Japan is arguably the toughest test in Asia so a comfortable home win is expected.

Japan vs Bahrain Tip: Japan to win -1 handicap

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