Canada recorded their first-ever World Cup victory on Thursday, dismantling Qatar 6-0 in a Group B match at BC Place stadium in Vancouver, in a result that was both historic and turbulent. A Jonathan David hat-trick, goals from Cyle Larin and substitute Nathan Saliba, and a Qatar own goal sealed a dominant performance that sends Canada to the top of Group B, needing only a draw against Switzerland in their final match to advance as group winners.
The match turned decisively in Canada's favour after Qatar were reduced to nine men. Homam Ahmed was dismissed in the first half, and Qatar's Assim Madibo — who had already been booked — was sent off following a VAR review after a clumsy challenge from behind left Canadian midfielder Ismael Kone writhing in pain and clutching his left leg in the 51st minute. Kone was stretchered off the pitch, waving to the crowd while breathing from an oxygen pipe, in a moment that cast a shadow over what was otherwise a jubilant occasion for the host nation, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney watching from the stands. The two sides brawled on the halfway line after the final whistle, requiring FIFA volunteers and team staff to intervene.
Larin had opened the scoring in the 16th minute, converting a rebound after David's initial shot was saved. David added two more before half-time to put Canada firmly in control. After Kone's injury, substitute Saliba curled a free kick into the top corner to make it 4-0, celebrating by holding up a replica of his injured teammate's number-eight jersey. Another substitute, Jacob Shaffelburg, won the ball and his shot deflected in off Qatari defender Mohamed Manai for the fifth. David completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, slotting home after a Saliba effort was spilled.
David's treble was the 56th hat-trick in men's World Cup history and the second of the 2026 edition, following Lionel Messi's against Algeria. It made David the first CONCACAF men's player to score a World Cup hat-trick since 1930, and the first Canadian man to score multiple goals in a single World Cup match. "It will take a few days to sink in, but obviously we know that what we've done today is historical for the country," David said after the match, adding that Kone's injury had made it difficult to focus. "We just wanted the game to end so we could all be together."
The result leaves Qatar, who are competing in their second World Cup after hosting the 2022 tournament, level on one point with Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of their final group game. Canada, co-hosting the 2026 tournament alongside the United States and Mexico, now stand on the cusp of reaching the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.