Japanese Fans Clean Up After World Cup Match in Dallas

After a World Cup match between the Netherlands and Japan on Sunday, Japanese fans focused on cleaning rather than celebrating. The venue was the Dallas Stadium. Footage shared by FIFA, viewed over 6.3 million times, showed fans collecting trash long after the 2-2 draw on June 14.

“It’s the culture, but it’s like a respect for everything—respect for the players, supporters, and also for the stadium,” explained one supporter in the video. “We are kind of honored to be here, so we don’t want to make the mess and then leave it.”

A Familiar Tradition on the Global Stage

Japanese fans often gain attention for cleaning after matches. Similar scenes have occurred globally. For instance, fans cleaned their section at Wembley Stadium, England, during a friendly match earlier this year, receiving praise for their efforts.

Tackling the World Cup’s Massive Waste Problem

The World Cup generates significant waste, with the 2026 tournament spanning the U.S., Canada, and Mexico expected to attract 6 to 8 million fans across 104 matches. Each fan might produce between 0.6 to 0.8 pounds of waste, leading to an estimated total of around 4 to 5 million pounds overall. Common waste items include cups due to FIFA’s ban on refillable water bottles, food containers, programs, and merchandise packaging.

Miami officials warn that local matches could produce over half a million pounds of trash across seven games alone.

Waste Management Plans for 2026

FIFA and local organizers are making waste reduction and sustainability priorities for the 2026 event. Dallas, set to host nine matches, has introduced a comprehensive waste management program including better recycling and composting, reducing single-use plastics, and encouraging fans to sort waste.

These measures have precedent. During Qatar’s 2022 World Cup, around 80 percent of stadium waste was recycled or composted, showcasing successful waste management practices.