Japan’s World Cup supporters cleaned Philadelphia stadium aisles with signature blue trash bags on June 14 after a dramatic 2-2 draw with the Netherlands.
Volunteers passed bags down rows while players were still conducting postmatch interviews, a ritual Samurai Blue fans have maintained at multiple tournaments.
Stadium contractors said Japanese fan blocks required minimal overtime cleanup compared with sections where litter accumulated near exits.
Netherlands midfielder social posts thanked supporters for respectful conduct, noting the contrast with occasional post-match disorder in European leagues.
Embassy cultural officers shared before-and-after photos online, amplifying a tradition that Japanese football associations encourage but do not formally organize.
Stadium ushers in Philadelphia said Japanese fan sections were among the cleanest they had observed after a match drawing more than sixty thousand spectators.
The blue bag tradition dates back decades and has resurfaced at multiple World Cups, reinforcing Japan’s reputation for courteous away support.
Netherlands players acknowledged the gesture on social media, praising conduct that contrasts with occasional vandalism seen after high-stakes European club matches.
Japanese embassy staff in Washington praised supporters’ conduct, sharing photos of cleaned sections on official social channels.
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Sources:
https://apnews.com/article/japan-world-cup-fans-cleaning-fd7289c5351f6a59e679fbd8a5327e0f