Canada’s Ismaël Koné Misses Training for Undisclosed Reason Ahead of World Cup Opener Ismaël Koné, a key midfielder for Canada’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, was absent from team training on Wednesday, just two days before the team’s opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The 28-year-old, who is expected to start in an advanced midfield role, arrived at the training facility in full gear but left shortly afterward in a car, according to reports. Canada Soccer officials confirmed his absence but provided no details, citing “undisclosed” reasons. Head coach Jesse Marsch was not available for comment following the session. Koné’s absence has raised questions, as he had participated in full training during the team’s preparation camp. During Tuesday’s session, he wore tape over his left wrist, though Canada Soccer did not link this to his Wednesday absence. When asked about the injury, Koné told reporters that “something happened” during Canada’s June 5 friendly draw against Ireland, but he insisted he was “fine.” His performance in that match was described as one of his best for the national team, with coach Marsch praising his vision and ability to create opportunities. “My vision from the beginning is of Ismaël as an intensive player that also has a gift of just moving around with the ball that teams can’t really match plan for. He’s an X factor for us,” Marsch said. The team faces additional challenges as several players remain in return-to-play protocols. Alphonso Davies, the star left back, is still recovering from a previous injury and trained separately from the squad on Tuesday. However, he participated in full sessions on Wednesday, though he trained away from the main group. Ralph Priso, another defender, began training in cleats on Wednesday, a shift from his earlier use of training shoes.#ismael_kone #ogc_nice #bosnia_and_herzegovina #jesse_marsch #canada_soccer
OGC Nice's Lineup for Saturday's Match Against PSG OGC Nice will face Paris Saint-Germain in a crucial Ligue 1 clash this Saturday, with manager Claude Puel opting for a familiar defensive setup and introducing key players to challenge the reigning Champions League winners. The match, set for a 21:05 kickoff at the Allianz Riviera, will test the Aiglons, who have struggled at home this season. Despite a recent 2-0 victory over Angers, Nice has not secured a home win in five months, making this encounter a pivotal moment in their campaign. PSG, meanwhile, remains a formidable opponent despite missing several key players. Barcola is sidelined due to a knee injury, Joao Neves is rested, and Hakimi faces a suspension. However, the French giants still boast enough talent to trouble Nice, particularly with their attacking options. For Nice, the focus will be on their forward line, where Elye Wahi, the hero of their previous win against Angers, is expected to play a central role. Wahi will partner Diop in attack, forming a dangerous duo against a PSG defense that has been inconsistent in recent weeks. Puel has also made a notable change in the midfield, starting Youssouf Ndayishimiye in place of Charles Vanhoutte. The Burundian, recovering from a serious knee injury, has not appeared in a match since April 25 and will be tested against a PSG side that has already faced him in a high-stakes encounter. Ndayishimiye’s inclusion adds an extra layer of intrigue, as his return to action could provide the spark needed to disrupt PSG’s rhythm. Defensively, Puel has maintained his three-man system, anchoring the line with Dante and relying on the experience of Bah and Oppong to neutralize PSG’s attacking threats.#paris_saint_germain #ogc_nice #claude_puel #elye_wahi #youssouf_ndayishimiye
PSG Must Confirm Return to Form After Ligue 1 Clash with Nice Following RC Lens’ decisive 5-1 victory over Angers on Friday, Paris Saint-Germain faces a crucial challenge as it aims to reclaim its position at the top of the Ligue 1 table. The club, which suffered a 1-3 defeat to AS Monaco in its previous Ligue 1 match two weeks ago, returns to action this Saturday evening (21:05 on Ligue 1+) in the 27th round of the league. The match against OGC Nice will be pivotal for Luis Enrique’s team, as the French champions must secure a win to reassert their dominance. RC Lens’ emphatic win over Angers has temporarily placed them in first place, with a two-point lead over PSG. The Parisians, however, will need to demonstrate their renewed strength after a strong performance in the Champions League. Following their 3-0 victory at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, PSG must prove their form is consistent across competitions. According to sports journalist Vincent Duluc of L’Equipe, Luis Enrique faces the challenge of refocusing his squad amid the pressures of the Champions League quarterfinals against Liverpool (scheduled for April 8 and 14) and an international break that will sideline most of his squad. The match against Nice will also test PSG’s ability to adapt without key players. Bradley Barcola, the club’s most utilized forward, is sidelined due to a hamstring injury, leaving a gap in their attacking options. Barcola, who scored five goals in his last six matches, was instrumental in creating opportunities through his deep runs. His absence may provide an opportunity for Désiré Doué to regain confidence and rejoin the attacking trio alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, who combined effectively during their European campaign last spring.#paris_saint_germain #luis_enrique #bradley_barcola #rc_lens #ogc_nice
