During the 2026 World Cup's inaugural knockout-stage match between Canada and South Africa, a Canadian fan's phone was accidentally thrown while she was participating in the wave.
The incident occurred at SoFi Stadium as fans initiated the wave multiple times due to prolonged periods of slow play. In one instance, a woman in a black Canada jersey, while raising her hands, lost grip of her phone, which then tumbled over the railing in front of her. She reacted with visible disbelief, covering her mouth.
The match, which Canada won 1-0, has drawn criticism for its pace. YouTuber Mark Goldbridge characterized it as "possibly the worst World Cup game ever." South Africa dominated possession with 58% but managed only six shots, with two on target and an expected goals total of 0.14. South Africa manager Hugo Broos attributed the loss to a "lack of power and speed" in his team, citing issues with duels, individual matchups, and the speed of execution.
Canada created more significant scoring opportunities but missed four chances. Their lone goal came from a 22-yard strike by Stephen Eustáquio.
Despite the match's perceived lack of excitement, it marked a historic moment for both nations as their first knockout-stage encounter in the World Cup. Canada is now set to face the winner of the Netherlands-Morocco match. Canada's manager, Jesse Marsch, expressed his team's intention to play with a "free hit" mentality, aiming to upset a favored opponent and continue their tournament run.