FIFA DisCo suspends Qatar player who broke leg of Canada's Ismael Kone

FIFA's Disciplinary Committee has suspended Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo five matches after his red-card-earning tackle that broke Canada midfielder Ismael Kone's leg.

Kone suffered fractures in his tibia and fibula, undergoing surgery shortly after Canada's 6-0 victory over Qatar in the teams' second World Cup group game. Kone left that match in the 56th minute after a gruesome injury resulting from the tackle, which was upgraded to a red card offense after a video review.

Madibo was suspended for Qatar's final group match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also saw the suspension upgraded by FIFA's regulatory group because of serious foul play.

"The suspension will be served in the upcoming match(es) of the representative team of Qatar in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and in accordance with art. 69 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code," a FIFA statement read.

If Qatar is able to beat Bosnia and advance into the knockout round, Madibo would not be available. Otherwise, he will serve the rest of the ban in official competitions - potentially missing time in the January 2027 Asian Cup.

Madibo went to visit Kone on June 23, with the players embracing during the meeting. But Madibo's contrition doesn't seem to have earned him a lighter retroactive punishment, with the Al-Wakrah midfielder set to miss significant time.

Is this FIFA's harshest ban ever?

While the suspension was hefty, there have been larger bans handed down by the governing body. Controversial Uruguay forward Luis Suarez was given a nine-match suspension from all soccer activity for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during a June 24, 2014 group match in Natal, Brazil. The last time the tournament was in the U.S., Italy defender Mauro Tassotti was given an eight-game ban for throwing an elbow at Spain's Luis Enrique.

What happened to Kone?

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 Qatar's Assim 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 Soccer released a statement on Friday, June 19, one day after 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 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

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World Cup standings

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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 Seth Vertelney, Jon Arnold and Jesse Yomtov contributed to this reporting