2026 World Cup: Canada's Ismaël Koné stretchered off with potential leg injury

Canadian midfielder Ismaël Koné has been stretchered off in Canada’s World Cup match against Qatar after suffering a potentially nasty leg injury.

Koné was tackled by Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo about 10 minutes into the second half of Thursday’s game. Koné looked in pain immediately afterwards, grabbing at his left leg, and trainers quickly came to tend to him. It took little time for Canada’s medical staff to bring out the stretcher, while the Canadian reserves surrounded him as he was receiving treatment.

Koné waved at the crowd as he was taken off, with his left leg in an air cast. Multiple players were emotional as he was taken off the field.

Madibo, who was visibly distressed as Koné was being treated, was initially assessed a yellow card for the contact, but it was upgraded to a red card after review. The broadcast did not show replay of the tackle, indicating that potential severity of the injury.

Qatar was already down a player, thanks to a red card from Homam Ahmed in the 33rd minute. The addition red forces the team to finish the game with only nine players.

Koné was replaced by Nathan Saliba, who scored five minutes later, and immediately lifted up Koné’s jersey in celebration.

This story will be updated.