When Rupa saw England play Japan at Wembley Stadium
How it started
Expert by experience, Rupa writes about her love of Arsenal FC and her recent visit to Wembley Stadium.
My first time at a live football match was in 2019. My brother surprised me with VIP tickets to watch Arsenal play Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium. It was my birthday present. "It was a proper good experience," says Rupa.
My dream came true
Going to Wembley to see England play Japan on 31 March 2026. It was a dream for me and my Mum made it happen. My dream came true, and I was really happy to see a live game at Wembley Stadium. I got a very nice surprise from my mum. I was overjoyed.
The result
Japan’s Mitoma scores an historic goal against England at Wembley
England lost 1-0 to Japan. Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma scored the only goal. It was a big moment in football history - the first time an Asian team had ever beaten England at Wembley.
Japan are one of the dark horses for the 2026 World Cup this summer. They have five Premier League players in their squad: Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton), Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United) and Kota Takai (Tottenham Hotspur, currently on transfer to Borussia Mönchengladbach).
The bad bit
People with a learning disability were left alone and not treated fairly. It was disgraceful: I couldn't scan the QR code, but my mum had already got into the stadium. Luckily, I got a phone call from her! I’d got lost looking for the ticket office. I am so disgusted by the way people like me are treated, and I would like to take this issue up.
Ian’s comments on that bad bit of Rupa’s experience at Wembley
“If the staff at Wembley had worked with IC Works, they would have known how to help Rupa straight away”, explained Ian Chrisite, Director of IC Works. “An Easy Read guide to getting into the stadium could have meant that Rupa was never left without the help that she needed.”
“We would love to work with the FA on Easy Read guides as most of Team IC Works support a football team: Carl supports Norwich City, Matthew is a Newcastle fan, Shaun’s beloved Rotherham United were recently relegated to League Two, Rupa is a Gooner (Arsenal fan) while Toni and I support Arsenal’s North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are having a difficult end of the season.”
