Kone vows to 'be back very soon' after broken leg mars Canada's 6-0 rout of Qatar

Ismael Kone has promised to return from a broken leg after the Canada midfielder was stretchered off during his side’s 6-0 Group B victory over Qatar at BC Place in Vancouver on Thursday.

The injury occurred in the 52nd minute when Qatar’s Assim Madibo caught Kone in a challenge that left players from both sides visibly shaken. Canada coach Jesse Marsch said the impact was audible from the touchline. “It happened right in front of the bench — everyone could hear the bone snap,” Marsch told reporters after the match. “Your heart goes out to him, and everybody’s a little shaken by the experience, because of the nature of the injury and also because Ismael is a big part of the team.”

Madibo was sent off following a VAR review, compounding a miserable night for Qatar, who had already been reduced to nine men after Homam Ahmed’s first-half dismissal. Players from both teams formed a protective circle around Kone as medical staff attended to him on the pitch.

Despite the severity of the injury, the 24-year-old was seen waving to the crowd as he was carried off — a gesture Marsch described as a reflection of his character. “He was almost making everybody else feel at ease with the fact that he’s injured, and that’s an incredible statement about Ismael as a person,” the coach said.

Posting on Instagram the following afternoon, Kone addressed his teammates, his supporters, and his faith directly. “ALLAH has never failed me. Throughout my life, not even once. So why doubt him now?” he wrote. “This battle is a test to my faith in him and to my character. And honestly I’m ready for it.”

Kone also offered a message to his Canadian teammates, telling them he would be watching from the sideline in a self-described role as “assistant coach”. “I’ll be back very soon and we’ll keep making more memories together,” he added.

Marsch confirmed after the game that Kone had been taken to hospital and was preparing for surgery, with the coach planning to visit him following his post-match press conference. The midfielder faces a significant spell on the sidelines, though the full timeline of his recovery has not yet been confirmed.

Canada’s 6-0 win keeps their World Cup campaign on track despite the blow of losing one of their key midfielders.