Canada defeated Qatar 6-0 in their second group stage match of the 2026 World Cup, moving into first place in Group B, but the victory was marred by a serious injury to Sassuolo midfielder Maxime Koné.
The match, played at BC Place in Vancouver, saw Jonathan David score a hat-trick (29', 45'+3', 92'), with Cyle Larin (16'), William Saliba (64'), and an own goal from Qatar’s Manai (75') completing the scoring.
Koné was stretchered off in the second half following a heavy collision with Qatar’s Madipo, who was subsequently sent off. Initial assessments suggest a severe leg fracture, potentially jeopardizing any upcoming transfer negotiations for the highly sought-after player. The Canadian team showed their support for Koné by displaying his jersey to the Vancouver crowd after Saliba’s goal, making the score 4-0.
David’s hat-trick places him in exclusive company, becoming only the second Juventus player to achieve the feat in a World Cup, following Paolo Rossi in 1982. He is also the first player from an Italian club to score a hat-trick in a World Cup since Gabriel Batistuta, who played for Fiorentina in 1994.
Koné joined Sassuolo in 2022 from Toulouse, quickly establishing himself as a key player in the Serie A side’s midfield. He has made 65 appearances for the club, scoring 6 goals. He has also become a regular feature in the Canadian national team, earning 16 caps since his debut in 2022. The extent of his injury will have significant implications for both Sassuolo and Canada.
Canada will face Switzerland on June 24th in Vancouver, aiming to secure top spot in Group B. Simultaneously, Bosnia and Qatar will play at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington. The injury to Koné casts a shadow over Canada’s strong start to the tournament and potentially impacts their midfield options for the remainder of the competition.
