REUTERS/Hannah Mckay TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Japanese fans travelled to the United States to watch the national soccer team represent its country at the World Cup. Those visitors are being praised for their treatment of AT&T Stadium.
As is tradition, fans cleaned the venue after an incredible contest. They even got an NFL quarterback to join in.
One of the greatest traditions in sports:
Japan fans picking up trash at the stadium 👏 pic.twitter.com/u9bjGFkXIE
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 14, 2026
Why did Japanese fans clean AT&T Stadium at World Cup?
Japan took on the Netherlands in their first matchup of the event. They entered as underdogs but proved they belonged.
The team twice fell behind by a goal. Twice, they evened the score.
The Netherlands struck first in the 51st minute with a goal from Virgil van Dijk. Japan responded with an equalizer in the 57th minute.
The Dutch then regained the advantage in the 64th minute. Japan battled back to tie the game late.
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?! 🤯
JAPAN DRAWS LEVEL LATE AFTER OGAWA’S GOAL! pic.twitter.com/n2tFoM5CTU
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 14, 2026
In the 88th minute, a Koki Ogawa header was deflected by teammate Daichi Kamada to find the back of the net. The goal would deadlock the score at 2-2, which would be the final score.
The tie gives Japan life as it looks to advance out of the group. While the team earned the headlines during gameplay, the fans got the praise in the moments that followed.
They cleaned the stadium. It’s tradition. Why do they do it? To show respect.
The reason Japan fans clean the stadium after each game. Respect. 🤝🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/o9qJUOLefY
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 15, 2026
Jameis Winston joined in.
The quarterback was a FOX World Cup correspondent in Dallas. He stayed back to help Japanese fans clean the stadium after the game.
Shoutout to our FIFA World Cup correspondent @Jaboowins and all the Japan fans cleaning up their trash at Dallas Stadium 👏#JameisOnFOX pic.twitter.com/1bX8kKSnoS
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 14, 2026
The kindness was contagious!
Winston is plenty familiar with AT&T Stadium. He’s spent a decade in the NFC. He’s competed in three games against the Cowboys, two of which came in Dallas.
Winston has never won as a player in the venue, but he was able to pick up a major ‘W’ as a visitor for the World Cup.