The Shotime has acknowledged the Samurai Blues! That is how one would define Shohei Ohtani’s reaction to the news of Japan qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Samurai Blue defeated Bahrain 2-0 on Thursday, securing a top-two finish in Group C and a guaranteed spot in the World Cup, their eighth successive attendance since their 1998 debut. What makes this feat even better is that Japan is the first team to have qualified for the main event ahead of all the European and Latin American biggies. So, how did Samurai Blue achieve this feat, and what does Ohtani’s acknowledgment mean to them?

Well, it should not be surprising that the Japanese are once again taking the field on the biggest platform in soccer, considering their history and the fact that they have been mostly seen as one of Asia’s powerhouses for the past few decades. Nevertheless, it was impressive how they defeated their rivals in a group that was thought to be the toughest. Yes, while Japan was expected to qualify for the World Cup, it is their dominance that caught all the attention. Moreover, the Japanese are accustomed to such dominance in the form of Shohei Ohtani. 

The dominance Ohtani shows in MLB is second to none. His two-way playing ability makes him ahead of others. What’s left? His fireballs from the mound and those towering homers are enough to dominate in the MLB circuit. Expectedly, he is now the most popular athlete in Japan for the consecutive third year. So, what’s better than for the Samurai Blue to get acknowledged by the country’s biggest athlete? Posting a picture of the winning squad that Ohtani shared over his Instagram story reflects his pride in his country that is set to shine in the biggest soccer event. Well, Ohtani is also poised to return with his two-way dominance this year.

A breakthrough season ahead for Ohtani in 2025

Shohei Ohtani started this year with a bang! Yes, first with his show in the sold-out Tokyo Dome where he electrified the crowd with his solo homer, and the second? Ohtani is set to become the first MLB player to earn $100M from endorsements in a single year, joining the likes of Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. Thus, he is steadily climbing the ladder to global stardom. Moreover, he is scheduled to return to his two-way playing in May. The last time he pitched was in 2023 before going for a UCL surgery. 

A blockbuster season ahead for Ohtani as he returns to the mound. “Hopefully I can wrap up a second World Series this year,” Ohtani said. Very much possible with the team the Dodgers got this year. However, is another 50-50 season on the card for Ohtani? Yes, very likely, if not better. While team Japan is confirmed at the FIFA World Cup 2026, Ohtani’s second ring would be a cherry on the cake for the country. The cake would just get sweeter if Ohtani’s excellence comes in handy in retaining the upcoming WBC title. 

It’s been a great year for Japanese sports. All eyes will now be on Ohtani’s excellence this year and how Japan will be faring in the FIFA World Cup next year.