DBKL begins cleaning Dataran Merdeka after thousands of fans left rubbish behind following the World Cup final broadcast
KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) will carry out a major cleaning exercise at Dataran Merdeka, after the historic site was filled with rubbish left behind by thousands of fans who gathered to watch the live broadcast of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina early this morning.
DBKL in a post on Facebook today announced that the cleaning team would be collecting rubbish in the area, but stressed that the cleanliness of the capital should not depend on the efforts of staff after the public had left the location.
“It is sad to see the condition of Dataran Merdeka after the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.
“Early this morning, thousands of people gathered to cheer, celebrate football and share joy. However, when the cheering ended, this historic field was left in a state of being filled with rubbish.
“Dataran Merdeka is a symbol of the country’s dignity and history. The way we leave it reflects the way we value it. We can celebrate with joy. We can cheer to our hearts’ content but the freedom to be happy does mean the freedom to dirty a shared space,” the statement said.
DBKL said a great city is not only judged by the way people come but also by the conditions they leave behind, therefore, the public is urged to work together to keep the capital clean and consider Kuala Lumpur as their own home that needs to be looked after for the well-being of all.
Early this morning, Dataran Merdeka turned into an open-air stadium when it was flooded with more than 25,000 football fans who gathered to watch the live broadcast of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final which saw Spain beat Argentina 1-0.
