In June 2026, the quadrennial football spectacle, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will kick off, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Japanese national team for this tournament is being hailed as the "strongest ever," and expectations are high for them to reach the quarterfinals or beyond.

In their opening group stage match on the 15th, they faced the Netherlands, a strong team ranked 8th in the world. Despite conceding the first goal, they showed resilience by equalizing twice and secured a valuable point.

日本時間早朝のキックオフだったオランダ戦に対し、第2戦のチュニジア戦は21日午後1時キックオフ。応援しやすい時間帯とあって、渋谷の大型商業施設やライブハウス、スポーツバーなどではライブビューイングが開催され、多くのサポーターでにぎわった。

今回は、決勝ラウンド進出へ向けた重要な一戦となったチュニジア戦のライブビューイングの様子をレポートする。

Sending support from Shibuya Hikarie to Mexico

前日までの雨も上がり、キックオフ数時間前から渋谷駅周辺には日本代表のユニフォームやタオルマフラーを身に着けたサポーターが続々と集まった。日曜日の午後1時キックオフとなったチュニジア戦は、日本のファンにとって絶好の観戦時間帯。渋谷駅周辺でも複数の会場でオフィシャルのライブビューイングが行われた。

中でも駅から最も近い会場の一つとなったのが、渋谷ヒカリエ9階のヒカリエホールだ。

渋谷ヒカリエで開催されたLenovo（レノボ）主催のライブビューイング

ライブビューイング会場のほか、PKゲーム（左）　Lenovo製品体験（右）なども設営され、来場者が楽しめるアトラクションも充実

応援しながら食べられるフードを提供するコーナーも

FIFAワールドカップのオフィシャル・テクノロジー・パートナーであるLenovo（レノボ）が主催した同イベントでは、大型ビジョンによる試合観戦に加え、最新AI PCの体験コーナーやシュートゲームなどが展開された。

左＝日本代表に向けた応戦メッセージコーナー　右＝参加者が書き込んだ応援メッセージがディスプレーに表示

会場には、日本代表のユニフォームを着たサッカーファンや家族連れなど、約500人が集結。来場者はゲームを楽しんだり、応援メッセージコーナーで日本代表への期待やエールを書き込むなどしながら、キックオフを待った。

As the start of the match approached, the atmosphere in the stadium became more and more heated, and when the footage of the Japanese national team players entering the pitch was shown, a huge cheer and applause erupted.

A goal-scoring frenzy ignites excitement! Expectations rise for a place in the final.

In the 4th minute of the first half, Daichi Kamada scored with a no-look heel kick from a pass by Keito Nakamura, giving Japan an early lead. The crowd erupted in cheers, and many spectators rose to their feet in celebration.

前半早々に先制点が入り、一気に盛り上がるサポーター

Japan continued to dominate the game, and in the 31st minute of the first half, Ayase Ueda scored a spectacular long-range shot to add another goal. The atmosphere in the stadium reached its peak, with supporters banging their stick balloons together and spontaneously high-fiving each other.

Meanwhile, Tunisia focused on defense while looking for an opportunity to counterattack, but Japan maintained a steady pace throughout the match, allowing the fans in the stadium to watch with peace of mind.

2点リードで迎えた後半も日本の勢いは衰えなかった。後半24分には、上田選手のダイレクトパスを経由して伊東純也選手がドリブルで抜け出し、ゴールキーパーとの1対1を冷静に制して3点目を奪取。さらに38分には佐野海舟選手のクロスに上田選手がヘッドで合わせて4点目を決め、日本はチュニジアを4―0で下した。会場からは日本代表の快勝をたたえる大きな拍手が送られた。

ライブビューイングにゲスト出演したGAN（岩田剛典）さんは、「最高ですよ。圧勝と言っていいのではないでしょうか。改めて日本は強いと思いました」とコメント。「2点目の上田選手のシュートは、自信を持って振り抜いていて完璧だった」とベストシーンを振り返った。

ライブビューイングにゲスト出演したGAN（岩田剛典）さん

Furthermore, former Japan national team player Yasuhito Endo smiled and said, "It was reassuring to watch. I wish they had scored around six goals though (laughs)." He added, "All the best moments were in every scene. It was such a perfect match that there were hardly any opportunities for the goalkeeper to shine."

ライブビューイングにゲスト出演した遠藤保仁さん

This victory increased Japan's points total to four, significantly advancing their chances of reaching the knockout round. Great expectations are now placed on their match against Sweden, which will take place in just four days.

The "festival scene" that has continued since the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

As soon as the final whistle blew, loud applause and cheers erupted from the supporters gathered around Hachiko Square in front of Shibuya Station and the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

試合終了とともに、歓声を上げて交差点に駆け出すサポーターたち

Furthermore, about 10 minutes after the end of the match, people who had been watching the game in large shopping malls and sports bars began to move towards the station. The supporters, who had been scattered in various locations, naturally began to gather at the Shibuya Scramble Crossing.

Each time the traffic light turned green, a scene unfolded of supporters in uniforms raising national flags and chanting "Nippon!" to celebrate the victory of the Japanese national team, sharing in the joy.

Since the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea, Shibuya Scramble Crossing has become widely recognized as a place where supporters gather. This festive scene, repeated every time the World Cup is held, has now become one of Shibuya's iconic sights.

斜め横断など、歩行者の無秩序な通行を禁止する

On the other hand, police security and traffic control have become more sophisticated year by year. To prevent trouble in the surrounding area and ensure smooth traffic flow, "right-angle traffic" (prohibiting diagonal crossings) and "left-hand traffic (one-way traffic)" within pedestrian crossings were strictly enforced from before the end of the match. Measures were taken to discourage loitering in intersections and to suppress high-fives and hugs between supporters.

渋谷スクランブル交差点を上から見ると、交通規制の様子がよくわかる

As supporters began to gather around the scramble crossing, the "DJ Police" also made an appearance. Instead of using a commanding tone, they spoke in a way that was more like talking to young people, urging them to follow traffic rules and working to ensure safety at the scene.

日本代表の勝利を祝福する外国人観光客たち

In addition to soccer fans, Shibuya was also filled with many tourists and foreigners. Many were seen celebrating the Japanese national team's victory together and taking commemorative photos, creating a celebratory atmosphere throughout the city.

While there are various opinions on this scene, the fervent enthusiasm of the cheering supporters is becoming a sight unique to the World Cup, which only happens once every four years. The cheers of those hoping for the Japanese national team's success once again echoed loudly through the streets of Shibuya.

Interviews and writing

Editorial Department: Takashi Fujii

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.