Zurich, June 25 -- FIFA has suspended Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo for five matches after his reckless challenge left Canada's Ismael Kone with a serious leg injury during the FIFA World Cup 2026, casting a shadow over the co-hosts' impressive campaign.
The world governing body announced the sanction on Wednesday following a review of the incident that occurred in Canada's emphatic 6-0 Group B victory over Qatar in Vancouver last week.
Madibo was sent off in the 51st minute after lunging from behind into Kone, catching the midfielder's leg in a challenge that immediately alarmed players on the pitch. Medical staff rushed onto the field before Kone was stretchered off and taken to hospital.
Subsequent examinations revealed fractures to b...