Ismaël Koné’s serious injury at the 2026 FIFA World Cup unfortunately brought back one of football’s toughest realities: the medical dramas that interrupted careers, changed the course of national teams and left fans in shock throughout different editions of the biggest tournament on the planet.

The Canadian midfielder suffered a double leg fracture during the match against Qatar after a challenge with Madibo. The incident caused a wave of concern among players and supporters as Koné was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Medical tests confirmed damage to both the tibia and fibula, requiring surgery and ending his World Cup campaign prematurely.

READ MORE: Jonathan David’s hat-trick powers Canada to dominant 6-0 win over Qatar

The episode once again brought memories of other moments when severe injuries became part of World Cup history. Sofascore News looks back at some of the most memorable medical dramas from the tournament.

Patrick Battiston and Schumacher’s Collision in 1982

One of the most shocking images in World Cup history occurred during the 1982 semifinal between France and West Germany. French midfielder Patrick Battiston had only recently entered the match when he chased a through ball and was hit by German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher.

The collision left Battiston unconscious on the pitch. The French player lost teeth, suffered rib injuries and sustained a concussion that caused temporary amnesia about the incident.

The referee’s decision not to award a foul generated worldwide controversy. West Germany eventually advanced after winning the penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw.

Tab Ramos and the Elbow Incident That Defined the 1994 World Cup

In the 1994 World Cup Round of 16, the match between Brazil and the United States was marked by a brutal challenge.

During a battle for possession, Brazilian defender Leonardo struck American midfielder Tab Ramos with an elbow.

The impact caused a fractured skull, forcing Ramos into a lengthy recovery process. Leonardo was shown a red card and suspended by FIFA for the remainder of the tournament.

Neymar and the Knee Strike That Changed Brazil’s 2014 World Cup

During the 2014 World Cup quarterfinal between Brazil and Colombia, the host nation suffered one of its biggest blows of the tournament.

With 41 minutes played in the second half, Neymar was hit in the back by Colombian defender Camilo Zúñiga’s knee during a challenge. The Brazilian star left the field on a stretcher, visibly in pain.

Medical examinations revealed a fractured transverse process of the third lumbar vertebra (L3). Although there was no spinal cord injury or risk of paralysis, Neymar was ruled out for the rest of the tournament.

The absence of Brazil’s star player, who was competing in his first World Cup, had a major impact ahead of the semifinal against Germany — a match that ended in the historic 7-1 defeat.

Yasser Al-Shahrani and the “Friendly Fire” Incident in 2022

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Saudi Arabia produced one of the biggest upsets in tournament history by defeating Argentina 2-1 in the group stage.

However, in the final minutes of that match, defender Yasser Al-Shahrani suffered a serious injury in an unfortunate collision with his own teammate.

While attempting to clear a cross, goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Owais rushed out of his goal and accidentally struck the Saudi defender in the face with his knee.

The collision caused facial and jaw fractures, broken teeth and internal bleeding. Al-Shahrani required emergency surgery and left one of the most unforgettable images of that World Cup.

Robert Jonquet: France’s Sacrifice in 1958

During the 1958 World Cup semifinal between Brazil and France, defender Robert Jonquet experienced one of the most symbolic moments of resilience in World Cup history.

With 35 minutes played and the score tied at 1-1, the French defender collided with Brazilian striker Vavá and suffered a fractured fibula. At the time, substitutions were not allowed, forcing Jonquet to remain on the pitch.

After receiving medical treatment, the French captain returned only to occupy space on the field. In reality, France were playing with one fewer player. Brazil took advantage of the situation and won 5-2, with Pelé scoring a hat-trick to secure a place in the final.

Nery Pumpido’s Misfortune in 1990

The 1990 World Cup brought an unexpected nightmare for Argentina. The reigning champions from four years earlier lost goalkeeper Nery Pumpido to a serious injury during only their second match of the tournament.

Pumpido fractured the tibia and fibula of his right leg in the 11th minute of the game against the Soviet Union after a collision with teammate Julio Olarticoechea.

The injury ended his World Cup participation and opened the door for Sergio Goycochea. The backup goalkeeper became one of Argentina’s biggest stars during that campaign, shining in penalty shootouts and helping the team reach the final against West Germany.

Serious injuries are part of football, but some moments go beyond the sport itself and remain forever in fans’ memories.At every World Cup, stories of resilience and unexpected setbacks remind us that, before every result, there is a human story behind the biggest names in the game.

And throughout the tournament, you can follow every number and statistic from the World Cup on Sofascore.