Instead, many fans found themselves talking about what happened after the final whistle. Just after the match, as thousands of spectators headed for the exits, Japanese supporters stayed behind to collect the litter scattered across the stands.
There were bottles, food wrappers, cups and other rubbish items that were carefully gathered before the Japanese fans left the Dallas Stadium, continuing a tradition that has become closely associated with the Samurai Blue fanbase.
Why are Japan fans being called ‘show-offs’ online?
Well, as soon as the videos and pictures surfaced on social media, they quickly went viral. While many praised the gesture as an example of civic responsibility, others were less impressed.
Some users accused the supporters of “showing off” for the cameras. One X (formerly called Twitter) user wrote, “They are now showing off,” while another questioned why fans do not simply avoid creating rubbish in the first place.
One added, “Why should they mess it up in the first place? “Why not just hold a trash bag with them?”
While one backed them, saying, “Nah, Japanese are not lazy and respect the environment.”
“There is a saying in Japan: ‘Better to do false kindness than to do nothing good’,” another said, and more such comments continued.
The debate quickly divided opinion online. While critics argued that the clean-up receives excessive attention in every tournament, supporters of the tradition pointed out that Japanese fans have been doing the same thing for decades, even long before social media made such moments go viral.
But this is perhaps not the first time when Japan fans have won hearts for such gestures. For years, Japanese football fans have become known for staying behind after matches to tidy up stadium sections, regardless of whether their team wins, loses or isn’t even playing.
Hence, what began as a little-known custom has since become one of the tournament’s most recognisable traditions.
Times when Japan fans won hearts in the history of the FIFA World Cup
1998 World Cup, France: The beginning of a tradition
According to ESPN, Japanese supporters first caught international attention during their nation’s Worlds Cup debut. Armed with large rubbish bags, they quietly cleaned up their sections before leaving the stadium, surprising many fellow spectators.
Image credit : X | @WorldCupMedia_ | Japan fans stayed back after the match to clean the stadium
2014 World Cup in Brazil went viral before such events
Despite Japan’s disappointing group-stage exit, supporters of the nation once again stayed back to collect the litter. The pictures from the Brazilian stadiums spread widely online, introducing the tradition to a much larger global audience.
2018 World Cup, Russia: Cleaning up despite heartbreak
Not only during the Brazil match, one of the most memorable moments came after Japan’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16. Even after a heartbreaking loss, fans remained in the stands collecting the rubbish.
The gesture was mirrored by the national team, which left its dressing room spotless and famously placed a handwritten “Thank You” note for tournament staff.
Image credit : X | @WorldCupMedia_ | A viral World Cup clean-up has people asking the same question about Japan fans
2022 World Cup, Qatar: Winning praise even when Japan wasn’t playing
Japanese supporters drew administration after cleaning Al Bayt Stadium following the opening match between Qatar and Ecuador, a game that did not even involve Japan.
2026 World Cup, North America: The tradition continues
Now, the latest chapter came after Japan’s entertaining 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas. Hundreds of supporters wearing national team jerseys remained in the stands after the final whistle, gathering cups, wrappers and other litter before heading home.
