| Host nation: Qatar Dates: 20 November-18 December Coverage: Live on BBC TV, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. Day-by-day TV listings - Full coverage details |
The magnitude of their win over Germany could have seen them go off into the night in celebration, but Japan's fans showed that the best manners and habits are ingrained.
The stands of sporting stadia are usually littered with used food trays and wrappers and empty drinks cups.
Not when the samurai blue are in town.
Their players, fresh from a 2-1 victory over the four-time champion in their World Cup opener, had barely left the pitch when the Japanese in the crowd pressed pause on the party to tidy up
They did the same at the World Cup in Russia four years ago, most notably after a 3-2 defeat by Belgium in the last 16 and again in the opening game of the tournament in 2022.
In Japan, people are taught to be clean from a young age.
Scott North, a professor of sociology at Osaka University, told the British Broadcasting Corporation that tidying up is a way Japanese people show their pride in their way of life.
"Cleaning up after football matches is an extension of basic behaviors that are taught in school, where the children clean their school classrooms and hallways."
Japan will play Costa Rica on Sunday in their next game.
Even if they don't win the World Cup, their fans are still winners.
Get the latest results and goal notifications for any team at the Fifa World Cup by downloading the BBC Sport app: Apple - Android - Amazon
You can get a daily dose of the World Cup on the radio.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
