Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 in a 2026 World Cup Group B match, but the game was marred by a severe lower leg injury to Canadian star Ismael Cohn.
Qatari and Canadian stars clash as Ismael Cohn undergoes treatment (Image: Alex Grimm, Getty Images)
Players and coaching staff from both Canada and Qatar clashed after Canadian midfielder Ismael Cohn was seriously injured. Fifty minutes into the 2026 World Cup Group B match, which Canada ultimately won 6-0, Asim Madibo lunged at Kone from behind, leaving the Canadian star writhing on the grass with what appeared to be a severe lower leg injury.
Many Canadian players crowded around the distraught Qatar and Madibo was soon seen holding his head in his hands as medical staff rushed to treat Kone. Tensions quickly boiled over as players on both teams got overcome with emotion, with some of Cone’s teammates visibly distressed by the horrific scenes unfolding before them. Jonathan David, who scored a hat-trick in the game, was in tears, and afterwards manager Jesse Marsh was also in tears.
As the confrontation between players and coaches escalated, Canadian backroom staff could be heard telling the referee, “His leg is dangling. It’s a bad fracture there.”
Canadian manager Marsh was reportedly beside himself and heading to the Qatar dugout to confront the coaching staff. Madibo was shown a straight red card as skirmishes continued on the pitch, leaving Qatar with nine men for the rest of the game.
After doctors stabilized Cohn’s left leg, he was carefully placed on a stretcher and driven from Vancouver Stadium. In an emotional moment, the crowd rose to their feet to applaud the devastated star, who responded by giving fans a defiant thumbs up.
About 14 minutes later, Nathan Saliba scored from a free kick, the ball hitting the post and going through the arms of Mahmoud Abunada and into the goal. As they drove away to celebrate, Saliba made a figure eight with both hands, Cohn’s number.
He then sprinted to the touchline, snatched Kone’s shirt and held it aloft to the supporters, drawing a huge cheer as fans and players alike continued to pour their hearts into the game. Canada extended their lead to 5-0 in the 75th minute when Mohammad Manai slotted the ball into his own net.
At full-time, the players reunited for an angry showdown. Canada’s manager Julen Lopetegui also appeared to have an angry exchange with Qatar’s coach Julen Lopetegui.
Still, while Cohn’s World Cup is almost certainly over, he was able to share a historic moment when Canada drew with Bosnia and Herzegovina at Toronto Stadium in the World Cup opener. Cail Larin scored against Bosnia, but Khorne admitted he “fainted” after the attack.
Nathan Saliba shows Ismael Cohn’s shirt (Image: Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Canadian and Qatari players clash after Ismael Cohn suffered a serious lower leg injury (Image: Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
After the game, Starr spoke to reporters with refreshing honesty about his emotions that day.
“Honestly, I almost fainted,” Kone told reporters after the game. “It was crazy because I feel like we did everything we could to give ourselves a chance to score.
“We were outplaying them and pushing the game. We had the momentum. We created so many chances, one of which hit the bar.
“So I think we deserved it. It was just like a relief. We knew the job wasn’t done, but in that moment, it felt so good to have that push to move forward.”
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