Canada rout Qatar 6-0 but Kone fractures leg as Mexico seal knockout-stage place

Canada produced a commanding 6-0 demolition of Qatar at the 2026 World Cup on Thursday, but the result was immediately overshadowed by a devastating injury to midfielder Ismael Kone, who was stretchered off and taken directly to hospital after suffering a broken leg. Mexico, meanwhile, became the first team to secure a place in the round of 32 after defeating South Korea 1-0 in their second group game.

Kone is set to undergo surgery after Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo’s challenge ended his tournament. Canada head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed that Madibo visited the dressing room afterwards to apologise. The incident inflamed tensions at full time, with a brief brawl breaking out on the pitch and a heated exchange between Marsch and Qatar manager Julen Lopetegui. “I don’t understand a reaction from their entire bench to try to start a fight about it being a red card when a clear foul just happened that broke a player’s leg,” Marsch said.

Elsewhere in the group stage, Switzerland came from a goalless stalemate to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1, with all four goals arriving from the 74th minute onwards. South Africa kept their World Cup hopes alive with a late equaliser against Czechia — Teboho Mokoena converting a penalty to cancel out Michal Sadilek’s opener.

England continued their preparations with a behind-closed-doors friendly against Sporting KC, in which Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick. Thomas Tuchel also has an additional option in defence after Trevoh Chalobah joined the Three Lions squad as cover for the injured Tino Livramento.

Tuchel’s ongoing dispute with FIFA over photographers blocking his view of the national anthem has produced a partial resolution: coaching staff will now be permitted to move to either side of the dugout for an unobstructed sightline. The concession is unlikely to fully satisfy the England manager, who has reportedly pushed for the photographers themselves to be repositioned.

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi will be eligible to face Germany on Saturday after Canadian authorities confirmed he can participate despite being arrested on suspicion of spot-fixing in the fortnight before the tournament began. He had initially been denied entry to the country.

In a lighter moment from Thursday’s action, Manchester City defender Abdukodir presented a signed Uzbekistan shirt to a camera operator he had inadvertently knocked over during Uzbekistan’s match against Colombia.