A Global Wave of “Litter Picking”: A New Form of Sport Uniting the World

Marking its second edition, the “Nippon Foundation SPOGOMI World Cup 2025” has evolved into a truly global competition in both name and reality. With entries from 34 countries and regions, this year’s tournament significantly surpassed the scale of the inaugural event.

The greatest achievement of this tournament goes beyond the numbers—although the participation of 8,502 people (including qualifiers) and the collection of over 22.5 tons of litter are impressive feats. The true success lies in how “litter picking” functioned as a common language, transcending barriers of age, profession, and culture. From students and corporate teams to professionals from various fields, players with diverse backgrounds competed on the same field with national pride, demonstrating to the world the new possibilities of environmental conservation activities.

On the FINAL stage, representative teams from each country showcased their unique strategies and teamwork. With the outcome often decided by narrow point margins, the event fully demonstrated both the high level of competitiveness inherent in the sport and its entertainment value that captivates spectators.

Established as a “sport accessible to anyone,” the SPOGOMI movement is steadily expanding from Japan to the world and into the future. Building on the bonds and achievements born in this tournament, we will continue to tackle the global challenge of reducing marine debris through the power of sports.

Great job to everyone! Pushing through the full 45 minutes was incredibly tough, but the SPOGOMI World Cup rules made it so interesting. It really hit me that this is a genuine sport. Thank you so much!