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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, 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. The statement expressed disappointment over the condition of Dataran Merdeka following the event, highlighting the importance of maintaining the site's dignity and historical value.

DBKL emphasized that a great city is not only judged by the way people come but also by the conditions they leave behind. The public is urged to work together to keep the capital clean and regard Kuala Lumpur as their own home, which 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 match, which saw Spain beat Argentina 1-0.