Once again, they have made headlines for their civic-mindedness. After the draw between Japan and the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, Japanese fans stayed in the stands to clean the stadium - a tradition that continues to fascinate the entire world.<\/p>\n
It was on the pitch of Dallas Stadium in Texas that one of the most exciting matches of the 2026 World Cup group stage took place. On June 14, Japan faced the Netherlands in Group F, in a match that ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw. As soon as the final whistle blew, while most spectators headed for the exits, the fans of the "Blue Samurai" remained in the stands to begin a very different ritual.<\/p>\n
Armed with the blue bags they had used throughout the match to cheer on their team, they methodically set about collecting the litter left on the seats and between the rows. Bottles, cups, and wrappers: every piece of trash was carefully gathered and placed in the bags, transforming the end of the game into a veritable cleanup operation. A scene that has become a ritual, but one that continues to captivate the world.<\/p>\n
While the image has once again garnered admiration, the phenomenon itself is nothing new. This custom among Japanese fans dates back to the 1998 World Cup in France, the country's first participation in the competition. Since then, at every major international sporting event\u2014World Cup, Olympic Games\u2014Japanese fans have repeated this gesture.<\/p>\n
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the image even went viral worldwide after Japan's surprise victory against Germany at the Khalifa Stadium. With each edition, the same conclusion: a stadium left spotless by those who came to occupy it for the duration of a match. <\/p>\n
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