Football is nothing without the fans and this World Cup has already seen some great examples of how the fans are making the most of the tournament that only comes around every four years. It is usually the football that makes all of the headlines, but this year we have had plenty to talk about regarding matters off the pitch too. From Japan fans leading the way with a major clean up exercise at their game and Egypt fans singing Mo Salah songs, the fans have been really adding to the spirit of the World Cup. Here are some of the fan highlights and other fan news:
Iceland fans
The Nordic fans are getting a reputation for being some of the best fans around the world. Back home in Iceland a massive 99.6% of TV viewers tuned in to watch their first game. Throughout the matches, they have become legendary for their thunder clap, which is probably the best fan celebration we have seen at the World Cup yet. They are a talented bunch, the people from Iceland just for managing to synchronise in such perfect timing!
Hot Polish girls
The cameras have been zooming in some incredibly beautiful fans this year and there have been a few Polish girls catching attention at the tournament. Their team might have lost to Senegal but the stunning girls managed to put a smile on a few faces even after defeat.
Mexico fined for chants
Mexico have been fined by FIFA because their fans have been chanting a homophobic slur. Their star striker Javier Hernandez has asked the fans to stop singing it but they have been singing it for a long time. It is usually chanted as the opposing goalkeeper goes to take a goal kick to try and put them off.
English fans
Amid concerns for safety, not many England fans have made the trip to Russia to see Kane and co. After England beat Tunisia on Monday the fans that did travel had plenty to celebrate but video footage has emerged of a couple of fans singing anti-Semitic songs in a bar in Volgograd. Hopefully the rest of the tournament will go smoothly and England’s reputation will not be tarnished by the actions of a few idiots.
Peru’s super fans
The fans of the Peru national team are becoming the fan stars of the World Cup. Many of them have made huge sacrifices to go to Russia, with people selling their cars just so that they could be a part of the tournament. In their first World Cup since 1982, there are so many loyal supporters who simply did not want to miss this chance to see their team play at a World Cup.
US fans buying tickets
The US may not have qualified for the World Cup but that has not stopped US football fans from making the trip. Fans from the US have bought more tickets than any other nation, aside from the hosting nation Russia.
Japan and Senegal clean up
Japan made history as 1st Asian team to defeat a S. American team in #WorldCup. But what happened after is just as impressive. A friend sent me this video of Japanese fans cleaning the stadium after the game. They actually brought the blue trash bags with them. Class act. #COLJAP pic.twitter.com/uPL7XyxD8g
— J.R. (@JRHDZV) June 19, 2018
Both sets of fans have been seen cleaning up the stadium after their games, picking up litter and being generally very respectful and courteous. Japan are renowned for their great manners and this World Cup has enforced this opinion further.
