In Italy, Vasilj emerges victorious; St. Pauli teammate occupies the substitution role

Japan has secured a ticket for the 2026 World Cup, thanks to a successful qualifying round, joining Bosnia-Herzegovina who will be making their second appearance at the World Cup finals, having debuted in 2014.

Bosnia-Herzegovina currently tops the World Cup qualification table with four wins in four games, including two victories against San Marino. The team's most recent win against San Marino was a hard-fought 1-0 match, with Tahirovic scoring the winning goal in the middle of the second half. St. Pauli's goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj made a crucial save against San Marino's Nanni in the 6-0 victory.

Edin Džeko, who was present at the 2014 World Cup and scored goals in Brazil, contributed to the victory with two goals in the 70th and 72nd minute.

Meanwhile, Bosnia's upcoming opponent, Austria, boasts a perfect record with three wins in three games in the World Cup qualification. The top game between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Austria is scheduled for next week.

In a separate development, Bosnia-Herzegovina's Danel Sinani aims to do better with Luxembourg against Slovakia than the German team did in Bratislava on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Japan's new midfielder, Joel Fujita, traveled with the national football team to California to face Mexico in Oakland. Fujita watched the entire 0:0 draw against Mexico from the bench and will have his next chance for his third international appearance on Tuesday against the USA in Ohio.

St. Pauli's Joel Fujita will represent the Japan national football team in this match.

Arkadiusz Pyrka will try to keep up with the Netherlands in UEFA Group G with a home win against Finland on Sunday evening.

In addition to these football updates, readers may be interested in two other stories: "Two injured: PSG angry at France coach Deschamps" and updates from the Bundesliga, HSV women's comeback, and more.

In Italy, Vasilj emerges victorious; St. Pauli teammate occupies the substitution role