Japanese fans clean World Cup 2026 stadium after Japan‑Netherlands match

After Japan’s group‑stage match against the Netherlands at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, Japanese supporters remained in the stands to collect litter, leaving the venue spotless before exiting. The clean‑up, captured on video, quickly spread on platforms such as X, TikTok and Instagram, prompting praise for the fans’ civility.

The practice reflects a long‑standing Japanese habit of classroom and public‑space cleaning taught from primary school, known as *o‑soji*. Similar scenes have appeared at previous World Cups – Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 – and have become a hallmark of Japan’s fan culture, underscoring discipline and collective responsibility. International users from Mexico, Spain, Brazil and other countries highlighted the gesture as a model of civic behavior, separating the act from any publicity motive.