Canada’s Ismael Kone reacts on the bottom after sustaining an injury in the course of the World Cup Group B soccer match against Qatar in Vancouver, British Columbia, Thursday, June 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
VANCOUVER, British Columbia–Canada’s historic first World Cup victory was overshadowed by a gruesome injury to midfielder Ismaël Koné.
Koné injured his left leg when Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo tackled him from behind within the second half, sending the 24-year-old to the bottom. Koné grimaced and players rushed to his aid, calling for help from the sidelines.
Madibo was sent off for the tackle on Koné, who was protectively surrounded by his teammates while he was treated on the sphere before he was stretchered off.
“I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn’t right,” Canada captain Stephen Eustáquio said. He was amongst one in all the primary players to succeed in Koné.
Koné was whisked to an area hospital were he was preparing for surgery while surrounded by family, Canada coach Jesse Marsch said. He said the injury happened right in front of the bench, and you could possibly hear the “bones snap.”
“Everybody was crushed when it happened, but we had to seek out a solution to stay focused, we knew that Ismaël wanted us to complete the job,” Marsch said. “There’s a number of thoughts that undergo our heads at once, we’re all fascinated by him, but we’re all very pleased with what we’re.”
Marsch added that Madibo personally apologized to Koné.
Madibo’s red card left Qatar to play with nine men, after teammate Homam Ahmed was sent off in the primary half.
Fewer than 10 minutes later, Koné’s alternative, Nathan Saliba, scored Canada’s fourth goal within the 6-0 win and held up Koné’s jersey in an emotional tribute.
Canada striker Jonathan David, who scored a hat trick, questioned the necessity for the tackle on Koné.
“If there’s a play where you can not win the ball, there’s no point,” he said. “It’s simply to hurt people.”
The main points of Koné’s injury haven’t yet been disclosed. His lower left leg looked visibly broken in photos after the incident.
“We’re going to miss (Koné),” Eustáquio said. “He has that X factor that our team really needs.”