Qatar: After losing to Croatia in a World Cup penalty shootout in the round of 16, Japan bids the World Cup farewell. However, the team and its fans left behind enduring memories that earned the Asian nation much praise in Qatar.

The World Cup has never been won by a team from outside of Europe and South America, nor has one team from outside of those two continents even competed in the final. Japan’s stunning and unexpected 2-1 comeback win against Germany in the early stages of World Cup Qatar 2022 helped establish the idea that this tournament could be a showcase for the strength of soccer’s from other continents outside of Europe and South America.

Japan’s players cleaned their locker area after defeating Germany, leaving it clean.

After an historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4, Japan fans cleaned up their rubbish in the stadium, whilst the @jfa_samuraiblue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium like this. Spotless.

Domo Arigato.??? pic.twitter.com/NuAQ2xrwSI

— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) November 23, 2022

“After a historic victory against Germany at the #FIFAWorldCup on Match Day 4 … the @jfa_samuraiblue left their changing room at Khalifa International Stadium … Spotless,” Football world governing body FIFA tweeted, with a picture of Japan’s dressing room.

Japan nearly lost to Costa Rica in its second World Cup Group E match, but then stunned Spain with a second 2-1 comeback victory. The Asian team won the group, topping Spain and Germany.

Japan may not have advanced past the round of 16 at the World Cup, as it did in 2002, 2010, or 2018, but players like Ritsu Doan, Junya Ito, Wataru Endo, and Daizen Maeda all enhanced their reputations. While Japan brought drama, debate and courtesy, Japanese fans were also busy playing their part in creating good vibes at Qatar 2022.

After watching their team play in those World Cup games, the Japanese contingent mirrored their team’s efforts in the dressing room against Germany and worked together to clean up the mess in the stands, as per the report.

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