VANCOUVER: A Canada side rallying around the loss of injured midfielder Ismael Kone face Switzerland on Wednesday needing a win or draw to secure top spot in Group ‘B’ and their first World Cup knockout-round appearance.

Canada will be without the services of Kone when they line up against three-time quarter-finalists Switzerland as the linchpin midfielder suffered a broken leg following a tackle by Qatar’s Assim Madibo during the co-host’s 6-0 thrashing of Qatar last week that gave them their first World Cup win.

It was a devastating blow given Kone is considered the heartbeat of Canada’s midfield, and without his energy Jesse Marsch’s men could be a less threatening pressing side going into their group-stage finale at Vancouver’s BC Place.

Replacing the midfielder will be no easy feat for Marsch, who acknowledged the absence of Kone “weakens us in the tournament”, but he will have no choice but to rely on someone from his bench to step up in the high-stakes clash against Switzerland.

Nathan Saliba replaced Kone in the game against Qatar and moments after entering the game made it 4-0, celebrating by holding Kone’s No. 8 jersey aloft.

Canada and Switzerland have four points from two games, though the World Cup co-hosts are top of the Group ‘B’ standings due to a superior goal difference.

Switzerland opened with a draw against Qatar followed by a 4-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina and now need one point against Canada to secure a round-of-32 place in the expanded tournament.

The Swiss have negotiated their way out of the group stage in five of their last six World Cup campaigns but have tasted defeat in the round of 16 on each of those occasions.

BOSNIA, QATAR FIGHT FOR THIRD SPOT

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Qatar go into their final Group ‘B ‘game on Wednesday knowing they realistically must win to progress, with a possible last-32 clash against co-hosts the US the prize on offer.

The hefty margins of defeat in both the teams’ previous fixtures severely damaged their goal difference, which could hamper their chances of progress if they are level on points with rival third-placed teams.

With two points surely not enough to qualify, a draw is no use to either side and could make for an open game. Neither nation have made it out of the group before, though, and are more comfortable setting up to defend and counter.

Bosnia are without highly-rated 23-year-old defender Tarik Muharemovic after his straight red against Switzerland.

Qatar, meanwhile, will miss both Ahmed and Assim Madibo after they were sent off against Canada, with Madibo’s rash challenge leaving Ismael Kone with a broken leg.

Published in Dawn, June 24th, 2026