"FIFA Must Ban 'Kamikaze' Cheering at North and Central America World Cup"

Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women's University, has argued that 'Kamikaze' cheering by Japanese supporters must be prevented during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North and Central America, which kicks off on June 12.

In a social media post today (June 11), Professor Seo stated, "If Kamikaze cheering occurs again, following the World Cups in South Africa and Qatar, FIFA must step in to stop it," adding, "If such cheering appears, I plan to notify FIFA and report it to the global press corps."

Kamikaze refers to the Japanese suicide special attack units that flew bomb-laden fighter planes into enemy warships toward the end of World War II.

Professor Seo noted that while stadium security guards immediately intervened when Japanese supporters cheered with the Rising Sun Flag during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Japanese supporters were spotted holding up Kamikaze T-shirts in a different match.

He also mentioned that during the 2010 South Africa World Cup, there was controversy when Japanese supporters wore Kamikaze headbands while cheering.

"I will take measures to ensure that Kamikaze cheering does not appear on the World Cup stage through global public discourse," he said, requesting, "Please report it if you spot Kamikaze cheering at the World Cup venues or on TV screens."

(Photo: Captured from Professor Seo Kyoung-duk's social media, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.