World Cup match halted due to Ismael Kone's 'horror bone snap' injury

Canada’s World Cup match against Qatar took an unexpected turn as the game was forced to stop due to a horror injury, with one of the players breaking their leg.

The Group B match, which took place in Vancouver on Thursday (18 June), saw the Canadian side make history as they thrashed Qatar 6-0, marking their first-ever win of a men's match in the football tournament.

However, their victory was marred by an awful injury suffered by Canada midfielder Ismael Kone, 24, who was stretchered off the pitch.

Eight minutes into the second-half, when the team was already winning 3-0, Qatar’s Assim Madibo challenged Kone for possession of the ball and caught the back of his left leg badly with his foot.

He immediately fell to the ground and looked shocked, with his leg visibly broken.

ITV refused to show a replay of the gut-wrenching moment, but as reported by Metro, a player on the pitch could be heard shouting that ‘his leg is hanging off’.

The midfielder was stretchered off following the injury (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Players from both teams formed a protective barrier around the midfielder, as medical staff raced over to help him.

Thankfully, he was able to manage a wave to the crowd as he was carried off on a stretcher.

Canada coach Jesse Marsch has since said the whole squad has been left ‘shaken’ by the incident.

He recalled: “It happened right in front of the bench. We could all hear it. I knew right away. It was right in front of us, and everyone could hear the bone snap.”

Marsch continued: “Your heart goes out to [Kone], and everybody’s a little shaken by the whole experience, because of the nature of the injury, and also because Ismael is a big part of the heart of our team.

“It will be a big loss for us. He’s been an amazing player these last two games.”

Kome managed to sit up and wave at fans as he was wheeled off (FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

He added: “He’ll be fine, we’ll get him good doctors. He’s got a big future, and he’s a big part of everything we’ll do.”

Meanwhile, Madibo was handed a red card for the challenge, earning him a one-match suspension.

The Sun reports that Kone was rushed to the hospital immediately, will miss the next four to five months of football, and is due for surgery.

Fans have been reacting to the horrific injury and videos of the moment that are circulating on social media, as they’re sending the player well-wishes.

One X user wrote: “Kone was absolutely bossing that midfield, looking like a World Cup star in the making… then this. Absolute gut punch.”

While a second added: “Kone's reaction when he realized what happened...im going to be sick.”

And a third wrote: “You could hear Ismael Kone leg snap, my goodness that was awful!”

ITV did not replay the injury during the broadcast (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

New rules for the FIFA World Cup 2026

This year, there’s been a whole host of rule changes, many of which are designed to speed up the game and penalize players who drag things out. Some of the new regulations are likely to prove controversial.

10-second substitution

Subbed players now have to get a move on and leave the pitch within ten seconds by the nearest exit point. If they haven’t, their replacement will get held up by one minute until the next stoppage of play, and until then, their side will have to play with 10 men.

5-second throw-ins and goal kicks

If a referee thinks a player is taking too long for a throw-in or goal kick, they’ll start a five-second countdown, by which time the ball needs to be back in play. If it’s not, for throw-ins the opposing team will get their own throw-in, or for a goal kick the other side gets a corner.

Injured players to remain off the pitch for one minute

An injured player treated by medical staff off-field has to stay off the pitch for one minute, leaving their side with just 10 players.

More VAR

VAR can now be used to review an incorrectly awarded corner kick; second yellow cards resulting in a red card; when a player is incorrectly awarded a yellow or red card for another player’s actions; and any attacking fouls that occur before the ball is in play.

Players can’t cover their mouths

Players who cover their mouths in confrontational situations will be handed a red card. It’s believed players might cover their mouths to guard against lip readers while racially abusing other players, which some suspect has happened in the past.

Red cards for players leaving the pitch

Any player who leaves the pitch in protest over a referee’s decision will be handed a red card, and if a team walks off and causes a match to be abandoned, they’ll forfeit the game.