Canada midfielder Ismael Kone sustained a horrific injury during his team’s 6-0 triumph over Qatar at the World Cup.

Kone is set to undergo surgery after suffering a severe double leg fracture in Canada’s emphatic World Cup win against Qatar.

The Sassuolo midfielder was stretchered off after breaking both his tibia and fibula following a tackle from Qatar’s Assim Madibo.

Madibo was shown a red card for the challenge, as the seriousness of Kone’s injury became apparent, leaving players and spectators visibly distressed.

Canada head coach Jesse Marsch walked onto the pitch to comfort Kone as he was being loaded onto the stretcher.

After the match, Marsch confirmed that Madibo had personally visited Kone in the dressing room to apologise before the Canadian was taken to a hospital in Vancouver, accompanied by his mother. Marsch added that Kone would be undergoing surgery soon.

The incident occurred in the 53rd minute of play, with Qatar already reduced to ten men following Homam Ahmed’s first-half dismissal.

Kone received oxygen on the field and waved to acknowledge the home supporters’ encouragement as he was carried off.

Canada went on to strengthen their lead and seal a 6-0 victory – marking their first-ever win at a World Cup tournament.

The team’s fourth goal came from Nathan Saliba, who celebrated emotionally by holding up a shirt with Kone’s name and number, dedicating the goal to his injured teammate.

Captain Stephen Eustaquio reflected on Kone’s injury after the match, saying: “I saw his leg. I saw that something wasn’t right. We’re going to miss him – he has that X-factor that our team really needs.”

Hat-trick hero Jonathan David criticised Madibo’s challenge, stating: “If there’s a play where you cannot win the ball, there’s no point. It’s just to hurt people.”

Marsch further praised the young midfielder, saying: “Ismael is such a great kid. He’s so imperfect, but that’s why you love him. He can do great things, and then the next moment he loses concentration. He embodies a lot of what our team is. It’s a huge loss for us.

He’ll be fine, we’ll get him the best doctors. He’s got a big future and he’s an important part of everything we’ll do.”

Kone, who has been a regular member of the Canadian national team since 2022, has already earned 42 caps for his country.

Canada will face Switzerland in their final group-stage fixture on Wednesday, with a draw sufficient for either side to progress to the knockout rounds.