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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Caitlin Cassidy

World Cup of memes: Japan fans, Beckham unbothered and a simmering bromance

World Cup Erling Haaland Japan Harry Kane Victoria Beckham England Jude Bellingham Alexi Lalas Lionel Messi Themba Zwane
Composite of World Cup memes including Merlin the World Cup Duck, Erling Haaland of Norway hugs Jude Bellingham of England, Victoria Beckham, Erling Haaland with a taxidermy raccoon and Japanese fans
Memes reign supreme: Merlín the World Cup duck, Erling Haaland hugs Jude Bellingham, Victoria Beckham, a taxidermy raccoon and Japanese fans. Composite: NurPhoto/Shutterstock/Getty Images/AFP

As a Japanese supporter exclaimed to a television camera, “Texas is good, everything is big”, we knew the World Cup had started. In those early euphoric moments, seeing the palpable joy when everything is still possible, it seemed Japan fans were the MVPs of memes.

They came in their thousands, dressed in sombreros and Mario outfits, tossed into the air like confetti and line dancing with the Dutch. Then the heartbreak arrived.

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