They may not be seeking recognition, but the Japan supporters have earned the respect of the international football community through their respectful behaviour at major tournaments and matches. The 2026 World Cup is no different, as the Japanese fans have once again been tidying up football stadiums before they leave the venue.

Unfinished food and empty wrappers often line the stands of vacated football stadiums beyond the final whistle. But if Japan are competing, the stadium staff can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the Asian side’s supporters will be on hand to provide assistance.

The Japanese fans proved once again that their impressive cultural manners were not for attention or a part of some flash-in-the-pan viral trend. Following their 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, the supporters were steadfast in their litter-picking duties at the Dallas Stadium.

And this also extended to the national players. It was reported that upon leaving the stadium, the Japanese squad had neatly left their rubbish in the centre of the changing room alongside their used towels.

But why are the Japanese players and fans so intent on leaving the stadiums in the same state of cleanliness as they found them?

Tradition of Japan fans cleaning up explained

REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

This now common sight extends from a behaviour that is taught in the Japanese school system. And it extends from a well-known phrase in Japanese culture: “Tatsu tori ato wo nigosazu.”

When translated into English, it means “A bird leaves nothing behind.” In Japan, schoolchildren are taught to clean their school classrooms and corridors. As a result of these behaviours being ingrained in childhood, they become habits that are carried into adulthood.

Japan-based journalist Scott McIntyre during an interview with the BBC, expanded on this cultural trait, noting that it’s not just a sporting aspect, but a part of Japanese culture as a whole. “It’s not just part of the football culture but part of Japanese culture,” said McIntyre.

Notable Examples

REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge

This cultural behaviour was first brought to international attention at the 1998 World Cup in France — the site of Japan’s debut in the competition. And despite losing all three group stage games and exiting the tournament early, the Japanese supporters were still willing to leave the stadium as they found it.

And more admirable still, the Japanese fans made headlines once again at the Qatar World Cup in 2022. Despite their team even playing in the fixture, the Japanese supporters were on hand to tidy up the stadium following the tournament opener between Qatar and Ecuador.

As well as other World Cup tournaments, the travelling Japanese have been seen lending a hand at the Olympics and the Asian Cup. And England fans would’ve witnessed it firsthand earlier this year, following Japan’s upset victory over the Three Lions at Wembley Stadium.

And the behaviour seems to have become infectious at the 2026 World Cup.

Following their group stage fixture against the Netherlands, the Japanese fan clean-up crew were assisted by New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston in their efforts. Winston was spotted in a Japan jersey after the game with a blue bin bag collecting rubbish.

Reaction to Japan Fans Cleaning Up

Action Images

“For Japanese people, this is just a normal thing to do,” said Hajime Moriyasu to The Athletic at the 2022 World Cup. “When you leave a place, you have to leave it cleaner than it was before.”

However, it has also left some Japanese men open to criticism. A viral social media post, which has gained 60,000 likes on X, depicted the double standards of domestic life and public life in Japan. The post suggests that whilst it’s great that Japanese fans are doing their service in public, Japanese men are falling short at home, leaving a burden of domestic housework to their partners.

And with cleanliness and respect running so deep in Japanese culture, it does come as a shock to see such a post gain traction online. In fact, according to 2021 data from the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Japanese men rank among the lowest compared to other highly-developed countries when it comes to time devoted to housework.

And whilst this domestic disparity should be addressed, a recent clip of Portuguese fans following Japan’s example shows that this behaviour should still be commended.

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Tottenham are ramping up their efforts to improve the forward ranks this summer, as TeamTalk reports that contact has been made for a potential signing.

It comes as the Lilywhites have already moved quickly to improve the backline, confirming three swift deals in the defence to give Roberto De Zerbi a wealth of options at his disposal.

The midfield has come into focus, as reports state that talks have taken place to sign Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes, with the duo viewed as ideal options to improve the centre of the park.

Then there’s the forward areas, the place where the least potential moves could follow. That said, talks have been held to sign Savinho, a year on from pursuing the Manchester City star, but ultimately failing to land him.

While that deal is back on, Tottenham could turn their attention to another star instead.

Tottenham have been linked with a move for Cody Gakpo, as the Netherlands international appears on the radar once more as a potential signing.

Now, according to TeamTalk, Spurs have made contact with Liverpool over a possible switch for the versatile star to understand the terms of a deal.

Doubts have arisen over Gakpo’s future at Anfield in recent weeks, with Arne Slot’s sacking leading to talk that an exit could be on the cards for the 27-year-old.

That has fed into Tottenham’s move, with the North London club believing that he could be a market opportunity and may well represent better value than Savinho.

It’s claimed that Gakpo’s experience and quality could prove a smarter investment for some within Spurs, even when balanced against the age profile and potential of the Brazilian transfer target.

Given that the Liverpool ace has been described as “elite” on his day, that could prove true, but it’s unclear exactly how much Liverpool would be willing to agree a deal at.

Tottenham’s Transfer Balancing Act

For the past few years, Tottenham have bought into potential, but have rarely platformed those young stars well enough to get the most out of them for the playing time they have received.

Following the recent wake-up calls in the Premier League, that approach has shifted to signing players entering the peak years of their career.

That, however, comes at the potential cost of now losing those with great potential. Luka Vuskovic has asked to leave Tottenham, with the centre-back ranks now looking stocked full of talent.

He isn’t the only one, as Lucas Bergvall has also told Tottenham he wants to leave in search of a new challenge, creating a dilemma for the club.

In the Savinho and Gakpo decision, there is a similar dilemma at play. Do Tottenham go for the player who has plenty of potential, or the one who currently has a higher floor?

If this summer is anything to go by, it may well be the latter. But talks will continue for both, before a decision is made on a potential deal.

After Dustin Poirier retired from MMA following his unanimous decision loss to Max Holloway at UFC 318, it was the perfect time to look back at his glittering career, and he once revealed who hit him the hardest inside the Octagon.

With a professional MMA career spanning over 15 years, Poirier has endured his fair share of hits. While his unanimous decision loss to Holloway at UFC 318 certainly wasn’t the final fight he would’ve hoped for, his professional record of 30-10 stands as testament to his long and storied time in the sport.

Dustin Poirier’s MMA Career

Initially fighting across various regional promotions in his native Louisiana and Southern US, Poirier boasted a 7-0 record before his World Extreme Cagefighting debut provided the first loss of his career at the hands of Danny Castillo at WEC 50. A first-round TKO of Zach Micklewright at WEC 52 concluded his participation in the promotion, as it was merged with the UFC.

His life in the UFC started with a four-fight win streak, including a submission victory over Max Holloway, before his first loss, courtesy of Jung Chan-sung.

The Diamond’s wait for a UFC title ended in 2019 with yet another bout against Holloway, in which the judges unanimously hailed Poirier the victor, awarding him the interim UFC lightweight title in the process. However, his reign lasted only five months, having submitted to Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s rear-naked choke hold at UFC 242.

Dustin Poirier on Hardest Hitting Opponent

Of Poirier’s 10 losses, only three came via KO/TKO, but one fighter’s striking ability stood out from the rest.

“Conor McGregor, no doubt about it. As the biggest puncher I’ve fought? Yeah. He’s a special individual, for sure,” he revealed in an interview with Valuetainment. “Fought him in 2014; lost, and that was when his trajectory was just… sky was the limit.”

The fierce rivalry shared between the pair first emerged ahead of their 2014 bout at UFC 178. Within two minutes of the first round, McGregor had dropped his opponent to the floor, before pouncing on the stricken Poirier and unleashing another barrage of strikes, forcing the referee to call it off, only one minute and 46 seconds into the fight.

Reflecting on whether the Irishman had lost any of his punching power prior to their rematch at UFC 257, Poirier suggested that it was a change in his mental approach that allowed him to set up a trilogy fight: “Still the same; very dangerous. It’s just, I felt differently mentally going into it.”

Poirier opened the 2021 rematch by focusing on McGregor’s left calf. With the Dublin-born fighter landing a flurry of clean shots, The Diamond remained undeterred, focusing on breaking down the Irishman’s leg.

At the beginning of the second round, McGregor stunned the American with a strong left-hand, but, once again, Poirier remained focused. With McGregor’s calf becoming increasingly red, he was unable to use his notorious striking power due to his inability to put weight on his left leg. Smelling weakness, Poirier dropped him with a right hook before unraveling a series of blows, ending the bout.

As the pair trash-talked one another following the rematch, everything was poised for one of the fights of the year, a trilogy bout to settle it once and for all. In the first round of their UFC 264 meeting, the pair traded a series of punches and kicks, attempting to work out an opportunity in which to stop the fight early.

As McGregor attempted to throw a left hand, his leg went underneath him, snapping in the process. As his screams echoed around the T-Mobile Arena, Poirier tried to seize his opponent’s misfortune, bombarding him with shots. The horn sounded and the Irishman’s screams continued, as the ringside doctor entered the cage and stopped the fight.

Both fighters, as well as UFC CEO Dana White, suggested a fourth instalment was on the cards once McGregor returned from injury, but his lengthy absence from the UFC, and Poirier’s decision to retire, put an end to such an idea.