Canada Midfielder Koné Ruled Out Following Leg Fracture

Canada national football team's key midfielder Ismaël Koné will miss the remainder of the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to a fractured left leg.
AFP reported on June 20 (KST) that Koné, who was carried off on a stretcher during the match against Qatar the previous day, underwent successful surgery for his fractured left leg but will be sidelined for the rest of the tournament.
Koné went down after a rough tackle from behind by opposing midfielder Assim Madibo in the 11th minute of the second half, during the Group B second match of the World Cup held at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada, yesterday (June 19), with his team leading 3-0.
Koné was carried off the pitch on a stretcher, and Madibo was immediately shown a red card and sent off.
The severity of the injury was apparent to everyone on the scene.
Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, who was on the bench, said after the match regarding the incident, "I could hear the bone snap."
Canada, which defeated Qatar 6-0, now has one win and one draw, totaling 4 points. They only need a draw in their final match against Switzerland to advance to the World Cup knockout stage as group winners for the first time in history.
However, with Koné, a core player in the midfield, now sidelined, a setback in their future tactical planning appears inevitable.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.