'This is our culture': Japan fans clean up World Cup stadium

Arlington, United States: Japan fans left the stands spotless after their World Cup opener against the Netherlands in Texas on Sunday, saying it was "Japanese culture" to tidy up after themselves.

Spectators stayed behind after the 2-2 draw to make sure they left the stadium as they found it, meticulously picking up litter and stuffing it into blue plastic bags. piekny-pies.pl

It is a habit first learned at primary school and Japan fan Eita Tanaka told AFP that "we have to think about everyone".

"Japanese people think that when we use a certain place, we were told that you have to make that place look tidier when you leave than it was when you arrived," said the 20-year-old, clasping a bottle and a couple of cups, and wearing Japan's blue shirt.

Japan fans clear trash in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by Charlotte Wilson / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

الأخبارRice starts, England make three changes for Argentina World Cup semi-finalAtlanta: England manager Thomas Tuchel named Declan Rice in his team for Wednesday's World Cup semi-final against Argentina after the midfielder recovered from illness, and made...فتح →

"For example, at school in our classrooms we tidy it up after ourselves without our teacher telling us."

Japan are appearing at their eighth straight World Cup and their fans' cleanliness has become their international calling card.

NFL quarterback Jameis Winston could even be seen joining in the clean-up after Sunday's game, wearing a blue Japan shirt with his name on the back.

Japan fan Futo Hagiwara said he was proud that the behaviour of his countrymen had been recognised in a positive light.

"This is our culture, that means everywhere we go we need to clean it after ourselves, it's our spiritual way, our attitude," he said.

Japan fans clear trash in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Sociologist and philosopher Masachi Ohsawa believes a mix of social responsibility and peer pressure is behind the fans' behaviour.

"While Japanese people tend not to take much interest in justice on a large scale -- issues like global inequality, conflict or climate change -- they are extremely sensitive to moral considerations on a smaller scale," he said.

"When it comes to people who they share the same space with or have direct personal contact with, they feel a strong desire not to cause them any trouble or make them feel uncomfortable."

School of life

Cleaning chores are a part of Japanese education from an early age, and children can be seen scrubbing floors and tables at schools every day.

Public waste bins are scarce in the country, and people are expected to take their rubbish home with them.

Getting rid of household waste can be a labyrinthine task that involves separating rubbish into different categories.

Japan fans clear trash in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

Scott North, emeritus professor of sociology at the University of Osaka, said he and his neighbours get together twice a year to pull out weeds and rake up cuttings.

He said such groups are organised into leaders and followers, and operate in a similar way to Japanese football supporters.

"Since everyone comes together, there's an expectation that they'll act as a group," said North, an American who has lived in Japan for about 40 years.

"And when the leaders break out the bags and say here you go, nobody is going to say no."

Sociologist Ohsawa said such behaviour could be explained by what Japanese people refer to as "reading the air".

"In Japan, even if one person starts picking up litter, those around them feel they simply cannot help but join in," he said.

"That's because if they don't, the people they are with will think they are a bad person."

Japan fans clear trash in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Netherlands and Japan at Dallas Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. Photo by MICHAEL STEELE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

He said peer pressure was a powerful social force.

"In this case, the primary motivation isn't so much a desire to keep the stadium clean or to avoid causing trouble for the people who have to clean the stadium afterwards," he said.

"It's more a desire not to be seen as a nuisance in one's own group."

Whatever the reasons, Japan's fans will keep tidying up for as long as they stay in the tournament.

Their next game is against Tunisia in Mexico on Saturday, and fan Hagiwara is happy to keep leading by example.

"We usually don't tell children they should do it," he said.

"We just show our actions and behaviour, and other people follow."

قرر الاتحاد الدولي لكرة القدم «فيفا» دفع مكافأة مالية لحكم الساحة الصومالي عمر عرتن، رغم عدم مشاركته في إدارة مباريات نهائيات كأس العالم 2026. ومُنع عرتن من دخول الولايات المتحدة، رغم اعتماده من قبل فيفا لإدارة مباريات المونديال، بعد خضوعه لاستجواب امتد 11 ساعة من قبل سلطات الهجرة الأمريكية في مطار ميامي الدولي، ثم أُبلغ بمنعه من دخول البلاد إثر رفض جواز سفره الدبلوماسي وتأشيرة الدخول المفردة لمرة واحدة. وأكدت هيئة الإذاعة البريطانية «بي بي سي» (BBC) أنه رغم أن عرتن لن يشارك في تحكيم كأس العالم، فإن فيفا التزم بدفع مستحقاته المالية كاملة.

Yasser Ibrahim said Egypt are ready for their opening match against Belgium, as the defender prepares for his first World Cup appearance.

Egypt defender Yasser Ibrahim said the national team fear no opponent and are ready to face Belgium in their opening Group G match at the FIFA World Cup.

Ibrahim said Egypt respect Belgium but will enter the match with confidence. He said the squad is focused on starting the tournament with a strong result.

The defender said playing at the World Cup had been a childhood dream and described his selection in the squad as an honour.

He credited head coach Hossam Hassan with keeping the squad focused. He said Hassan regularly speaks to the players about his own experience with Egypt at the 1990 World Cup.

The Pharaohs are in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Iran. The team will open against Belgium before facing New Zealand and then Iran.

The two sides are set to face each other on June 15 in Seattle. The match will kick off at 10 p.m. Cairo time.

The post Yasser Ibrahim Says Egypt Ready for Belgium Opener appeared first on KingFut.

Doha, Qatar: Spain will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Cabo Verde today, with the former world champions aiming to make a strong start in Group H and take an early step towards the knockout stages.

The match, scheduled for 7pm (Qatar time) at Atlanta Stadium, marks the opening fixture in Group H, which also features Saudi Arabia and Uruguay. With every point likely to prove crucial in the battle for qualification, both teams will be determined to open their campaigns with a victory.

Spain arrive at the tournament after finishing first in UEFA qualifying Group E to secure automatic qualification. Under head coach Luis de la Fuente, La Roja have established themselves among the contenders for the title, blending experienced internationals with an exciting generation of young players.

Spain’s only World Cup triumph came in 2010.

Despite Spain’s status as one of the favourites, De la Fuente insists his attention is focused solely on the opening match.Cabo Verde players in action during a training session.

“Being a favourite isn’t a disadvantage, but are we bigger favourites than France, Brazil or Argentina?” the coach said. “The most important game is Cape Verde.”

The Spain coach also confirmed that all members of his squad are available ahead of the tournament opener, giving him a full range of options for the clash in Atlanta.

Among the players expected to shine is teenage star Lamine Yamal, who is preparing for his first World Cup appearance.

“It gives me goosebumps to think I’ll be part of it,” the 18-year-old said ahead of the tournament.

While Spain are targeting a successful start, Cabo Verde arrive in the United States carrying the momentum of a historic qualification campaign. The African nation secured its first-ever appearance at the FIFA World Cup finals after finishing first in Group D of the CAF qualifiers.

Head coach Pedro Leitao Brito, known as Bubista, views the tournament as a unique opportunity for his players and the nation as a whole.

“When we qualified, I said that we wanted to play the best teams at the World Cup, and we were lucky to get Spain,” Bubista said.

“We’re going to play against one of the best teams in the world. There’s no fear. We’re not scared of anything.”

The Cabo Verde coach also described the World Cup as a chance to inspire future generations and demonstrate that smaller nations can compete on football’s biggest stage.

Midfielder Telmo Arcanjo believes his side can rise to the challenge despite facing one of the tournament favourites.

“We know the quality Spain has and the challenge that lies ahead of us, but we also know what we are capable of when we are united and focused,” Arcanjo said.

Veteran player Roberto Carlos Lopes, known as Pico, believes Cabo Verde must remain ambitious despite facing one of the strongest teams in the competition.

“Spain are one of the best teams in the world, which you have to respect, but you still must believe you can win,” Pico said. “We got here on merit, and we have to be competitive now.”

Kevin de Bruyne said he is looking forward to facing Mohamed Salah again and expects Egypt to be a difficult opponent.

Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne said he is looking forward to facing Mohamed Salah again when Belgium open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Egypt on Monday.

Kevin de Bruyne said he had played against Salah for around 10 years during their time on opposite sides of the Premier League rivalry between Manchester City and Liverpool.

He said Salah was “a really nice guy” and added that it would be good to compete against him again.

The midfielder added that Belgium expect a difficult match against Egypt, describing the Pharaohs as a physical and well-organised side before the opener in Seattle.

Belgium enter the tournament with de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois still central to the squad, alongside younger players including Jeremy Doku, Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere.

Egypt are making their fourth World Cup appearance and are still seeking their first win at the tournament. The Pharaohs beat Belgium 2-1 in the last meeting between the two teams, a friendly in November 2022.

The post De Bruyne Says Egypt Will Test Belgium in World Cup Opener appeared first on KingFut.