The incident happened in the 51st minutes, leading to the game being paused for several minutes while Kone was treated. Reuters / Agustin MarcarianJune 18, 2026 Updated 7:44 pm EDTVANCOUVER – Canada’s star midfielder Ismaël Koné left their second World Cup group-stage match against Qatar with an apparent serious injury to his left leg.Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo fouled Koné in the 51st minute. The 24-year-old hit the pitch and quickly grabbed his left leg.Koné had to be helped onto a stretcher and then left the pitch wearing an oxygen mask, sitting up and giving a thumbs up as he was taken from the field.In the immediate aftermath of the injury, Canada’s players gathered in a circle in obvious shock. Kone’s close friend Jonathan David in particular looked to be in distress.(Reuters / Agustin Marcarian)Qatar was already down to 10 men at the time of Koné’s injury, with Madibo was given a red card after a VAR review.
Canada was up 3-0 at the time of Koné’s injury and Qatar had little answer to the co-hosts’ constant attacks in the first half.Nathan Saliba was substituted on for Kone. In the 64th minute, Saliba scored Canada’s fourth goal. He ran to the touchline and held Kone’s jersey up in celebration.(Alex Grimm / Getty Images)Koné was arguably Canada’s best player in their World Cup opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina and has established himself as one of his side’s most important figures.More to follow
