Kone salutes CANMNT fans from wheelchair after horror injury

Sassuolo midfielder Ismael Kone insisted on being pitch side with his CANMNT teammates for tonight’s World Cup game against Switzerland, saluting fans from his wheelchair.

The player’s tournament was called to an abrupt and dramatic end during the 6-0 win over Qatar when he fractured his leg.

He was stretchered off and whisked straight to surgery to fuse the leg back together, and it remains to be seen how many months he will be out of action for.

However, Kone remained in good spirits and insisted on attending this evening’s final group game against Switzerland in Vancouver.

He was wheeled out in his chair and saluted the crowd before joining his Canada teammates on the touchline during the warm-up.

While Team Canada hits the field for warmups, Ismael Kone could be seen in a wheelchair saluting the fans.

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, CTV News (@CTVNews) June 24, 2026

The 24-year-old already has 42 senior caps for Canada, in which he scored four goals, and was hoping to make a real impression at this tournament co-hosted with the USA and Mexico.