FIFA has given Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo a lengthy ban for a horror tackle on Canada’s Ismael Kone.
Canada and Qatar met at BC Place Vancouver in the second round of group-stage matches at the 2026 World Cup.
Jesse Marsch’s side won 6-0 and achieved qualification to the knockout rounds, with Jonathan David scoring a hat-trick.
Qatar made the game much easier for Canada by receiving two red cards; the second, however, had major implications.
Madibo’s challenge broke Kone’s leg, ruling him out of the remainder of the World Cup and the start of the 2026/27 season.
Qatar player handed lengthy ban after horror tackle broke Ismael Kone’s leg
Ismael Kone is one of Canada’s key players, with 42 caps since making his debut against Costa Rica in March 2022.
He started alongside Stephen Eustaquio in central midfield in Canada’s first two World Cup 2026 matches (Bosnia & Herzegovina and Qatar).
However, Kone was taken off on a stretcher in the 57th minute against Qatar and was replaced by Nathan Saliba.
Kone suffered a broken leg from Assim Madibo’s reckless tackle and will play no further part in the tournament.
Kone has already had surgery to repair his broken tibia and fibula, and Madibo kindly visited him in the hospital.
Madibo has since been handed a five-match ban, which started with Qatar’s 3-1 defeat to Bosnia on Wednesday.
As for Canada, they fielded a new-look midfield of Saliba and Mathieu Choiniere in their 2-1 defeat to Switzerland.
Marsch’s side had already qualified for the knockout rounds, but their defeat means that they will have to leave Canada.
Canada’s round-of-32 opponent has not yet been decided, but the match will take place in Los Angeles this weekend.
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