Canada midfielder Ismael Kone has undergone surgery after suffering a broken leg in his team’s defeat of Qatar and will miss the remainder of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the team management confirmed on Friday.
Kone was stretchered off in the second half of Canada’s 6-0 Group B thrashing of the Qataris in Vancouver on Thursday after a clumsy challenge from Assim Madibo.
Madibo upended Kone with a challenge from behind to leave the Italy-based midfielder writhing in agony and clutching his left leg.
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The seriousness of the injury was immediately apparent as teammates frantically called for help from the Canadian medical staff on the sidelines.
Kone was eventually stretchered off the pitch, waving to the crowd as he inhaled from an oxygen pipe.
Madibo, who had initially been given a yellow card for the tackle, was sent off after it was upgraded to red following a VAR review, the second Qatari dismissal after Homam el-Amin was given his marching orders in the first half.
The Canadian team later took to X to reveal that the midfielder has undergone surgery and will be out of the ongoing home tournament.
“Last night, Ismael Kone underwent successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture,” a post on the Canada team’s account on X said.
Last night, Ismaël Koné underwent successful surgery to repair a lower limb fracture. He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of FIFA World Cup 2026™️.
You will come back stronger, Isma! 🫶 pic.twitter.com/fjQjNz6Y8j
— CANMNT (@CANMNT_Official) June 19, 2026
“He is expected to make a full recovery but will miss the remainder of FIFA World Cup 2026. You will come back stronger, Isma!”
Canada are on the brink of reaching the second round of the World Cup for the first time in history and need only a draw in their final group game against Switzerland to finish top of Group B.
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