Canada moved to the brink of the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar in Vancouver, but celebrations were tempered by a devastating injury to midfielder Ismael Kone.
The co-hosts were cruising after establishing a 3-0 lead before the match was overshadowed shortly after the restart when the former Watford player suffered a serious leg injury following a late challenge from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.
Kone, who currently plays for Italian side Sassuolo, was left in visible pain and shock, with the severity of the injury immediately apparent. Distressed teammates rushed to his side as the referee stopped play to allow medical personnel onto the field, while Madibo reacted in horror with his hands on his head.
The 24-year-old, whose World Cup campaign has now been brought to an abrupt end, received a warm ovation from the home crowd and raised his thumb in acknowledgment as he was carried off on a stretcher.
Canada manager Jesse Marsch was visibly emotional following the incident, with the former Leeds United coach reportedly moved to tears by the sight of one of his key players suffering such a serious setback.
Despite the distressing scenes, the Canadians regained their focus and added three more goals to complete a commanding six-goal victory and place one foot firmly in the knockout rounds from Group A.
The convincing win underlined Canada’s growing confidence on home soil, but the mood in Vancouver was dominated by concern for Kone, whose injury cast a pall over what would otherwise have been one of the country’s most memorable World Cup nights.
With progression all but secured, Canada will now hope to maintain their momentum while rallying around their injured midfielder as he begins a lengthy road to recovery.
