Japan fans clean stadium after 2-2 draw with Netherlands at World Cup
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 15, 2026, 12:40 AM
Last updated Jun 15, 2026
After Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Group F on June 14, Samurai Blue fans demonstrated their commitment to a World Cup tradition by cleaning up the AT&T Stadium. Celebrations erupted when Daichi Kamada scored an equalizer in the 88th minute, adding to Keito Nakamura's earlier goal that tied the match at 1-all. This act of tidying up, which began in Japan's 1998 World Cup debut, continues to highlight the fans' dedication to maintaining cleanliness after games.
- •Japan tied 2-2 with the Netherlands in Group F.
- •Daichi Kamada scored a late equalizer in the 88th minute.
- •Fans celebrated with blue bags during the match.
- •Japanese fans cleaned the stadium after the game concluded.
- •The tradition of cleaning began in Japan's first World Cup appearance in 1998.
- 12:40 AMYahoo Sports — Japan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw
- 12:40 AMAssociated Press — Japan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw - AP News
"Those blue bags Japan fans waved in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to maintain what has become a cleansing World Cup tradition. The Samurai Blue fans cleaned up before they left the stadium Sunday, picking up trash from the stands after Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Group F. Only a few minutes earlier, those then-empty blue bags were prominent in the celebration when Daichi Kamada scored on a header off Koki Ogawa’s corner kick in the 88th minute.
"Japan fans are still cleaning up after themselves at the World Cup. Those blue bags they were waving in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to pick up trash in their seating areas. Samurai Blue fans cleaned u…
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJun 15, 2026, 12:40 AMJapan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw
Those blue bags Japan fans waved in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to maintain what has become a cleansing World Cup tradition. The Samurai Blue fans cleaned up before they left the stadium Sunday, picking up trash from the stands after Japan's 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Group F. Only a few minutes earlier, those then-empty blue bags were prominent in the celebration when Daichi Kamada scored on a header off Koki Ogawa’s corner kick in the 88th minute.
- Associated PressJun 15, 2026, 12:40 AMJapan fans use blue bags to uphold a cleansing World Cup tradition after draw - AP News
Japan fans are still cleaning up after themselves at the World Cup. Those blue bags they were waving in a frenzy after their team got a late tying goal were then used after the final whistle to pick up trash in their seating areas. Samurai Blue fans cleaned u…
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