Footballers are the indisputably the highlight at the World Cup, but at the Russia World Cup, spectators are also taking up the spotlight.

Japanese football fans might have taken the cake on the stands after celebrating their team beating Colombia 2-1. Instead of pushing their way to leave the stadium, Japanese fans started to thoroughly sweep their rows and seats in the stadium.

Video footage filmed by Christopher McKaig, a coach of youth soccer teams in Canada, shows that the Japanese spectators used large garbage bags they brought along to pick up every single piece of trash and took them away when they left.

Christopher writes on his Twitter, “This is my favorite moment of the World Cup so far; Japan fans picking up litter after their victory vs Columbia. The lessons in life we can take from the game. Why I support Japan.” 

The post along with the video immediately made the headlines of international social media with hundreds of comments and thousands of retweets to show their respect to the decorum of Japanese fans and the team.

“Japanese won the match and the respect from the rivalry as well,” Chinese Weibo user @Tuimaoshaonvx- commented after watching the video, which had been widely circulated on Chinese social media.

“That’s already normal in their culture. They are very hygienic which is impressive and a good role model!” @Emily Billy Rosal said.

A British Facebook user, @Richard Exley, shared his experience and feelings about the Japanese when he was a volunteer at London 2012.

“I say 2 things a) when I was a volunteer at the London 2012 Olympics at the main stadium, many Japanese and other people from abroad who were spectators did the same and b) this should not just happen at sporting events but in all walks of life as if you have something to eat, drink, smoke or other you should take your litter with you as come on it is not hard and as with London 2012 there were plenty of bins near for people to take their rubbish. I think as a country we should be ashamed of ourselves as if other people can do it, why can't others,” said @Richard Exley.

Scott Mclntyre, a Japan-based football journalist, told the BBC that it is not just part of the football culture but part of Japanese culture.

The splash made by the Japanese also rippled through to spectators from other countries. Colombian and Senegal fans were seen joining in the sweeping campaign and praised by social media.

On Twitter, @carliaixam called on people to teach their children to learn from these examples.