BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Japanese fans once again won hearts at the FIFA World Cup, turning a night of football celebration into another demonstration of a culture that has become as famous as the Samurai Blue themselves.

Moments after Japan’s emphatic 4-0 victory over Tunisia in Monterrey on Saturday — a match that marked the 1,000th fixture in World Cup history — thousands of Japanese supporters remained in the stands, not to continue their celebrations, but to clean up the stadium.

Armed with rubbish bags, fans moved through the terraces collecting discarded cups, food wrappers and other litter, continuing a tradition that has become one of the most admired sights at major international tournaments.

The practice, known in Japan as “gomi hiroi” (picking up litter), reflects a deep-rooted cultural value of taking responsibility for shared spaces and leaving them in better condition than they were found.

For 30-year-old supporter Ken Okawa, attending his first World Cup was an opportunity not only to cheer his national team but also to represent an important aspect of Japanese culture.

“We are guests in Mexico,” he said while gathering rubbish around his seat. “I have been treated wonderfully, so this is my way of showing my appreciation.”

The sight was hardly surprising to many Japanese supporters. In Japan, children are taught from an early age to clean their own classrooms and school environments, a practice designed to instil discipline, responsibility and respect for communal spaces.

Miku Takeya, 41, explained that the habit has become second nature.

“It’s a natural part of our culture,” she said. “We do this to ensure that everything we use is left clean so that the next person can use it comfortably.”

Japanese supporters first captured global attention at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia when they stayed behind to clean the Rostov Arena after Japan’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16. Despite the heartbreak of conceding a late winner and crashing out of the tournament, fans quietly collected rubbish from the stands before leaving the stadium.

The gesture was widely praised around the world and highlighted that, for many Japanese fans, respect and civic responsibility are not dependent on the result of a football match.

Japanese fans tidy the terraces following Japan’s emphatic 4-0 win over Tunisia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F encounter at Estadio Monterrey, Monterrey, Mexico, on June 21, 2026, showcasing the culture of respect and responsibility for shared spaces that has become synonymous with their World Cup presence. (Photo by Eloisa Sanchez/Reuters)

Since then, scenes of Japanese supporters cleaning stadiums have become a familiar feature at international tournaments, including the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and now the 2026 edition in North America.

The tradition has attracted such attention in Mexico that Nuevo León Governor Samuel García reportedly arranged for 20,000 rubbish bags to be distributed at Monterrey’s stadium, fan zones and tourist sites following requests from Japanese supporters.

Yet many fans insist there is nothing extraordinary about their actions.

“It’s common sense in Japan,” said 27-year-old Ichiro Oyo.

Still, others acknowledge the pride they feel in seeing a simple cultural practice resonate globally.

“I think it is a matter of great pride that this is being showcased in a stadium like this, where people from all over the world are watching,” said supporter Ryo Matsuoka, 32.

As Japan celebrated a landmark victory that strengthened their hopes of reaching the knockout stage, their supporters once again delivered a reminder that their contribution to the World Cup extends beyond football. Whether in victory or defeat, Japanese fans have made cleanliness, respect and gratitude part of their enduring World Cup legacy.

 

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Morocco’s Ismael Saibari may not have broken the FIFA World Cup record for the fastest goal, but his lightning strike against Scotland has earned a place among the standout moments of the 2026 tournament and helped propel the Atlas Lions to the top of Group C.

Saibari stunned Scotland by finding the net just 69 seconds after kick-off in Morocco’s 1-0 victory on Friday, giving Walid Regragui’s side a priceless three points and strengthening their prospects of reaching the knockout stages.

The midfielder’s early breakthrough immediately sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many wondering whether it was the fastest goal of the tournament and where it ranked among the quickest strikes in World Cup history.

A look through the tournament’s record books reveals that the all-time mark remains safely in the hands of former Turkish striker Hakan Şükür, who scored after just 11 seconds in Turkey’s 3-2 victory over South Korea in the third-place match at the 2002 World Cup in Korea and Japan.

Şükür’s goal, officially timed at 10.8 seconds, came after Turkey forced an error straight from kick-off before the prolific striker calmly beat goalkeeper Lee Woon-jae.

Saibari’s goal, created by an incisive pass from Brahim Díaz before the midfielder powered home from inside the penalty area, does not threaten that long-standing record. However, it ranks among the fastest goals seen at the current tournament and underlines Morocco’s growing reputation as one of the most dynamic teams in the competition.

Only Paraguay’s Matías Galarza scored quicker during the second round of group matches, finding the net after 64 seconds in his country’s dramatic 1-0 victory over Turkey. Paraguay ended a 16-year wait for a World Cup win despite playing the entire second half with ten men after Miguel Almirón was sent off under FIFA’s new regulations for covering his mouth.

For Morocco, however, the significance of Saibari’s strike extends beyond statistics.

The goal proved decisive against a Scottish side that struggled to recover from the early setback as the Atlas Lions controlled proceedings and secured a victory that lifted them to the summit of Group C.

While Saibari remains some distance from the elite list of the fastest goals in World Cup history—headed by Şükür, followed by Czechoslovakia’s Václav Mašek (15 seconds), Germany’s Ernst Lehner (24 seconds), England’s Bryan Robson (28 seconds) and American Clint Dempsey (30 seconds)—his effort has already become one of the defining moments of Morocco’s campaign.

With four points from two matches and momentum building, Morocco will be less concerned with record books than with extending their stay in North America. Yet Saibari’s explosive start against Scotland has ensured that his name will be remembered among the quickest marksmen of World Cup 2026.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Ronald Koeman endured defeat against Sweden on his international debut for the Netherlands more than four decades ago, and for years that remained his only encounter with the Scandinavians as a player. On Saturday, however, the Dutch coach enjoyed sweet revenge from the touchline as his side produced a scintillating 5-1 victory over Sweden at the FIFA World Cup.

The emphatic win at the World Cup strengthened the Netherlands’ grip on the top of Group F and marked a memorable chapter in Koeman’s long association with Dutch football.

Koeman lost 3-0 to Sweden when he made his Oranje debut in 1983, and despite going on to earn 78 caps and establish himself as one of the most celebrated defenders of his generation, he never faced the Swedes again during his playing career.

Now as national team coach, he watched his side dismantle Sweden with an attacking display led by striker Brian Brobbey, who justified his selection ahead of record scorer Memphis Depay with two early goals.

Brobbey put the Dutch ahead in the opening minutes and doubled the advantage in the 17th minute, giving the Netherlands firm control of the contest.

The Swedes, who had opened their campaign with a convincing 5-1 victory over Tunisia, struggled to contain the Dutch attack. Any hopes of a comeback were effectively extinguished shortly after halftime when Cody Gakpo struck twice in a seven-minute spell to stretch the lead to 4-0.

Substitute Anthony Elanga briefly gave Sweden something to cheer about when he pulled a goal back in the 59th minute, but the effort proved little more than a consolation.

The Netherlands completed the rout in the closing stages when Crysencio Summerville weaved his way to the edge of the penalty area before finishing expertly in the final minute to make it 5-1.

The result lifted the Dutch to four points from two matches and to the summit of Group F, while Sweden remained on three points.

Attention in the group now turns to Monterrey, where Tunisia and Japan were scheduled to meet later on Saturday in a match carrying added historical significance as the 1,000th fixture in FIFA World Cup history.

For Koeman, however, the day belonged to the Netherlands and a long-awaited measure of satisfaction against the nation that spoiled his international debut 43 years ago.

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