Canadian soccer fans attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup have embraced a unique noisemaker: the "Canada clapper," a maple leaf-shaped device handed out free of charge at Toronto Stadium and the city's FIFA Fan Festival. The clappers were first distributed on June 12, 2026, before Canada's inaugural World Cup match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have since become a must-have item for supporters.
Free clappers for fans
The red clappers, made from recycled materials, were given to the first 1,500 attendees at the FIFA Fan Festival on June 18, prior to Canada's match against Qatar. "First 1,500 guests to FIFA Fan Festival today will get a Canada clapper to help make some noise and cheer on Canada vs. Qatar!" FIFA World Cup 26 Toronto posted on X. The clappers were also handed out at Toronto Stadium for the opening match, and volunteers distributed them at watch parties during subsequent games.
Despite some online mockery—one critic noted, "Wow! Hundreds of dollars for a ticket and you get a cheap plastic clapper!"—fans have largely embraced the noisemakers. Toronto's World Cup executive director Sharon Bollenbach defended the items, saying they are crafted from recycled materials and have created a real buzz. "They've created a real buzz and an interest and lots of noise around the city of Toronto," Bollenbach told the Associated Press.
Lucky charm for Canada
The clappers may have brought luck: after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 on June 18. The team then lost 2-1 to Switzerland on June 24, but still advanced to the knockout stages for the first time in history. Canada faces South Africa at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in the Round of 32.
The timing of the clappers aligns with Canada Day celebrations, adding to the patriotic fervor. "I think that’s what the World Cup is all about," Bollenbach said. "That we can celebrate our cultures, we can celebrate our heritage and be truly Canadian proud that we are hosting the world."
