Canada's Ali Ahmed (20) and Morocco's Achraf Hakimi (2) vie for control of the ball during the FIFA World Cup round of 16 in Houston on Saturday.Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press
Canada midfielder Ali Ahmed will miss an extended period after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, his English club Norwich City announced Thursday.
Ahmed, 25, was injured after landing awkwardly during the second half of Norwich’s pre-season friendly against Spain’s CA Osasuna on Saturday.
Subsequent scans confirmed the injury, and Ahmed is set to undergo surgery.
The Toronto native played a key role in Canada’s run to the round of 16 at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Canada’s next international window includes home matches against Chile on Sept. 26 in Toronto and Peru on Oct. 3 in Montreal before playing the United States on Oct. 6 in St. Paul, Minn.
Norwich teammate Mohamed Touré will wear Ahmed’s No. 21 shirt this season as a show of support while the Canadian recovers.