VANCOUVER, British Columbia – June 18: Canada’s Jonathan David celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group B match between Canada and Qatar at BC Place Vancouver on June 18, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
Jonathan David and Ismael Kone represented Canada at the 2026 World Cup, but now that club football has returned, they face very different futures.
Canada’s advance to the last 16 of the World Cup has sparked interest in the future of soccer in the country, and many supporters are also exploring new online casinos.
Two Serie A players represented Canada in a tournament co-hosted with Mexico and the United States, which ended with Spain defeating Argentina in the final in New York.
Canda star faces a different Serie A future
Spain’s victory meant they beat Italy and achieved the longest unbeaten streak in international football (38).
Juventus striker David contributed to Canada’s rise by scoring three goals in five games, all of which came in the same game against Qatar in the second group stage game.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo’s midfielder Kone had a good start to the tournament, but was forced to withdraw early due to a serious foot injury. Immediately after the match against Qatar, he underwent surgery and was forced to be out of action for several months.
Before the World Cup, David and Kone ended their first season in Serie A with very different feelings.
David joined Juventus as a free agent from Lille, but was unable to make the most of Dusan Vlahovic’s long-term injury in the second half of the season, scoring just eight goals in 46 appearances.
Kone, 24, scored six goals in 36 games in all competitions and was one of the standout performers for the newly promoted Sassuolo side, who secured a comfortable survival under manager Fabio Grosso.
Kone is not expected to be the subject of transfer speculation this summer due to injury, but the same cannot be said for compatriot David.
Despite scoring three goals in the World Cup, manager Luciano Spalletti is in fact reportedly keen to sell both the Canadian striker and Reus Openda to give Juve a fresh start up front.
Multiple sources in Italy, including La Gazzetta, claim that David is not part of Spalletti’s plans, but the former Lille star hopes to remain in Turin and compete for a place in the starting XI. Only time will tell if the 26-year-old can convince his coach to give him another chance.
David spoke fondly of Kone after the midfielder suffered a serious injury at the World Cup. “The connections are everything to this team,” David said after Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar on June 19.
“If you ask anyone on this team the same question, they’ll say the same thing. He’s someone we love very much.”
David’s contracts with Juventus and Kone’s with Sassuolo both expire in June 2030.
post navigation
