Atlanta, United States — FIFA has suspended Qatar midfielder Assim Madibo for five matches after the tackle that left Canada’s Ismaël Koné with a broken leg during their 2026 FIFA World Cup clash.
Madibo was sent off during Qatar’s 6-0 defeat to Canada in Vancouver after a challenge on Koné, who later underwent surgery on a fractured tibia and fibula in his left leg. FIFA’s disciplinary committee ruled that the suspension was for serious foul play, adding that the decision remains subject to appeal.
The incident occurred in the second half of the Group B encounter and overshadowed what was Canada’s first victory of the tournament. Reports said Madibo later visited Koné in hospital after the match, while Qatar were subsequently eliminated from the competition following their defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The five-match punishment means Madibo will miss more than just Qatar’s final World Cup fixture, with the sanction likely to carry into future international matches unless overturned on appeal.
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