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Canada makes FIFA World Cup history in blowout win against Qatar

Trevor Beggs
Trevor Beggs
|
Jun 19 2026, 12:01 am
Canada makes FIFA World Cup history in blowout win against Qatar
Anne-Marie Sorvin/Imagn Images

It was the biggest day ever in Canadian men’s soccer. For now.

Entering their match against Qatar, Canada was seeking its first ever win at a men’s FIFA World Cup.

But surely, no one saw this coming.

Canada scored early and often against an overwhelmed Qatar team, walking off the pitch at BC Place with a 6-0 win. The result was shocking, considering the same Qatar team managed to tie a talented Switzerland team 1-1 in its opening contest.

Cyle Larin scored in the 16th minute to get the party started for Canada. However, it was Ottawa’s Jonathan David who stole the show.

David scored in the 29th minute and added another just before the end of the first half. The 26-year-old completed the hat trick in the 92nd minute.

Canada had scored just three goals all-time at the men’s World Cup before the BC Place beatdown.

David’s hat trick was also the first by any player for a FIFA World Cup host nation team in 60 years. The last player from a host nation to do so was England’s Geoff Hurst, who scored a hat trick for England during the FIFA World Cup final against West Germany back in 1966.

It would have been an absolutely perfect night at BC Place, aside from one heartbreaking moment in the 51st minute.

Early in the second half, Ismaël Koné collided with a Qatari midfielder and went down in a heap. He was later carted off the pitch after appearing to break his leg. It was a gruesome sequence where a crack could be heard on the broadcast during the injury.

Canadian players were visibly shaken after the incident. Richie Laryea went after Qatar. Moise Bambito, who has known Koné since they were kids, appeared distressed.

Qatari defensive midfielder Assim Madibo was issued a red card for the play where Koné was stretchered off.

It was another sequence where Qatar didn’t do itself any favours. It was their second red card of the match after defender Homan Ahmed was red-carded in the 30th minute, putting Qatar down a man once they were already losing 2-0.

Following Madibo’s red card, Qatar was forced to play nine against 11 for the final 40 minutes of action.

After KonĂ©’s brutal injury, he was replaced by Nathan Saliba, who scored minutes later. Saliba then held up KonĂ©’s jersey to the crowd as a tribute.

Canada won’t have long to celebrate before a crucial matchup against Switzerland on Wednesday, June 24. That match will decide who wins Group B, with Canada and Switzerland both tied in points.

However, thanks to Canada’s electrifying six-goal performance, they hold top spot in the group.

If Canada wins or gets a draw against Switzerland, they will return to BC Place for another game in the Round of 32 on July 2.

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