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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is two years away, but Asian giant Japan has been declared favourites after another thrilling performance.
Football fans have named Asian country Japan as the favourite to lift the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States of America.
Pulse Sports can report that this reaction followed Japan’s latest outing which saw them score four goals again to extend their unbeaten run.
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17:20 - 11.09.2023
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The Blue Samurai thrashed Canada 4-1 in an international friendly match to register a fifth consecutive win.
Japan humiliates Canada
In a one-sided affair at the Denka Big Swan Stadium in Niigata, the Blue Samurai continued their rich form against a poor Canadian side.
Ao Tanaka was the show's star in Niigata after scoring two goals while it was a day to forget for Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies, who scored an own goal.
Tanaka opened the floodgate in the second minute when he fired Japan ahead but Canada missed a chance to equalise 20 minutes later as Jonathan David missed a penalty.
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Davies’ own goal doubled the lead for the home side before Keito Nakamura all but sealed the win with a third goal heading into the break.
Tanaka completed his brace with another early strike in the second half to make it 4-0 before a late consolation goal from Junior Hoilett made the final score more respectable for the North Americans.
Fans name Japan as next World Cup winner
Following the win against the Canadians, Japan made it five wins in the last five matches.
The Blue Samurai also netted four goals for the fourth consecutive match, which took their tally to 22 in five matches.
Fans reacted to Japan’s latest win on social media, with the Blue Samurai, who also thrashed former World Champions, Germany, by the same scoreline, named as favourites for the next FIFA World Cup in the US.
Here are some of the reactions:
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