Ismael Kone injury update: Surgery for Canada player after World Cup horror tackle

Canada midfielder Ismael Koné has undergone successful surgery for a "lower limb fracture" suffered during Thursday's 6-0 World Cup win over Qatar in Vancouver.

Canada Soccer released a statement on Friday, June 19, one day ater Kone suffered the injury after a challenge by Qatar's Assim Madibo

The federation said Kone underwent surgery after the match on Thursday and will make a full recovery, but is out for the rest of the World Cup.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Kone suffered a fractured fibula and tibia and will miss 4-5 months.

How did Kone get hurt?

Kone suffered a scary leg injury early in the second half of his team's World Cup game against Qatar on a tackle that earned a red card for Madibo.

Madibo put his hands over his head and waved his hands in the air, offering an apology for the severity of his tackle from behind.

After trainers put an air cast on his left leg, Kone was wheeled off the field on a stretcher. He waved to fans in Vancouver who were chanting his name.

Watch: Canada-Qatar coaches' spicy postgame exchange after Ismael Kone injury

Ismael Kone surgery

Canada coach Jesse Marsch said he could "hear the bone snap" and that Kone was at a local hospital preparing for surgery. Marsch went to the hospital following his post-game media duties.

How did Canada respond to Kone injury?

Canada's players and coaches were incensed after the tackle, an immediate reaction indicating that Kone might have had a serious injury. Some players shoved back the Qatar opponents, while Canada manager Jesse Marsch and his staff could be heard on the broadcast incredulously asking the referee how the play could be called simply a foul. It later was upgraded to a red card.

Shortly after play resumed, Nathan Saliba celebrated his 64th-minute goal that put Canada up 4-0 by running to the sideline and holding up Kone's No. 8 jersey.

"Ismael is such a great kid, he's imperfect but that is why we love him. He can do things that no other player can do. He embodies a lot of what this team is," Canada head coach Jesse Marsch said after the match.

"He was our best player against Bosnia. He is a huge loss for us. Our hearts are with him, but that kid has a huge future."

Ismael Kone bio

• Position: Midfielder
• Age: 24
• Nationality: Canada
• Height: 6'2"
• Weight 168 pounds
• Pro Club: Sassuolo (Serie A)
• International Appearances: 41
• International goals: 4

Canada 2026 World Cup schedule

The USA national team began the World Cup placed in Group D and ranked No. 16 in the FIFA World Rankings.

• June 12: Canada ties Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1-1, BMO Field in Toronto
• June 18: Canada def. Qatar, 6-0, BC Place in Vancouver
• June 24: Canada vs. Switzerland, 3 p.m. ET. BC Place, Vancouver

USA TODAY at the 2026 World Cup

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All games are being broadcast in the United States on Fox and FS1. Matches will also be broadcast in Spanish throughout the entirety of the World Cup on Telemundo and streaming on Peacock.

World Cup standings

Explore live group standings, stats and the updated bracket with USA TODAY Sports here.

World Cup key dates

• Group Stage: June 11-June 27
• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarterfinals: July 9-11
• Semifinals: July 14-15
• Third-place game: July 18 (Miami Gardens, Florida)
• Final: July 19 (East Rutherford, New Jersey)

USA TODAY's Jon Arnold and Jesse Yomtov contributed to this reporting