United States men’s national soccer team kicks off World Cup with big win
Dan Dakich analyzes the United States men’s national soccer team’s impressive 4-1 World Cup victory over Paraguay. He emphasizes the team’s speed and confidence, attributing them to many players’ experience at higher levels. This strong start puts Team USA in a good position for their upcoming showdown at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Canada’s 6-0 loss to Qatar in its second FIFA World Cup match would have been perfect on Thursday afternoon if it wasn’t for Ismaël Koné’s injury that can only be described as horrific.
Koné was sent off the field after a brutal tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo in the second half, which immediately caused discontent among the Canadian players and coaches on the sidelines. The tackle came from behind, and it is clear that Koné suffered something very serious.
As players crowded around Koné, the replay showed Madibo’s poor tackle, with the Canadian’s left leg bent at an angle not for the faint of heart.
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Ismael Kone of Canada waves to the crowd as he is stretchered after being fouled by Assim Madibo of Qatar during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, June 18, 2026. (Jared C. Tilton/FIFA via Getty Images)
Koné was in shock when the injury occurred, first holding his leg and then placing his hands on his head.
After reviewing VAR, the referees turned Madibo’s foul into a red card, marking Qatar’s second in the match after Homan Ahmed received one in the 33rd minute.
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Madibo, however, had his hands on his head, visibly distressed after seeing what happened to Koné as players, coaches and medical staff surrounded the 24-year-old on the pitch.
A round of applause from the home fans at BC Place in Vancouver filled the stands as Koné was taken off the field on a stretcher. Given the appearance of the injury, it is more than likely that his participation in the World Cup for Canada ended prematurely.
Ismael Kone of Canada waves to the crowd as he is stretchered after being fouled by Assim Madibo of Qatar during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, June 18, 2026. (Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Nathan Saliba replaced Koné in the 57th minute and scored seven minutes later. In celebration, he held up Koné’s jersey to the roar of the fans, as the score became 4-0. Mohammed Manai scored an own goal in the 75th minute to add insult to injury for Qatar, but Canada’s takeover began with the man advantage in the first half.
Jonathan David scored a hat trick in this match, scoring in the 29th minute and in stoppage time before the end of the first half. Then he scored again in stoppage time, this time in the 92nd minute to cap off a fun afternoon apart from Koné’s injury.
Cyle Larin also got the party started for Canada with a goal in the 16th minute.
After equalizing their opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, the 6-0 domination was the country’s first ever World Cup victory, which also earned them top spot in Group B.
Ismael Kone of Canada is stretchered after being fouled by Assim Madibo of Qatar during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, June 18, 2026. (Émilee Chinn/Getty Images)
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Switzerland’s 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday also gave it four points, with both teams determining who wins the group on June 24.
