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Jun 18, 20261
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Manchester City defender Khusanov collides with photographer during World Cup 2026 group stage match
Manchester City defender Abdulkadir Khusanov collided violently with a press photographer during a 2026 World Cup group stage match between Colombia and Uzbekistan in the 34th minute, resulting in potential injuries to the photographer. The incident occurred during a late defensive challenge and drew significant concern on social media before Colombia went on to score an opening goal minutes later.

Quick Facts
Who
Abdulkadir Khusanov
What
defensive collision with photographer
When
34th minute
Where
World Cup 2026 group stage match venue
- defensive collision with photographer
- late defensive challenge
- yellow card received
- Colombia scored opening goal
- Abdulkadir Khusanov
During a 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match between Colombia and Uzbekistan on June 18, Manchester City defender Abdulkadir Khusanov collided forcefully with a press photographer in the 34th minute of play. The incident occurred when Colombian winger Luis Díaz attempted to advance down the left flank, prompting the 22-year-old Khusanov to make a late defensive challenge that caused him to lose balance and strike the photographer with considerable force. The photographer, who was not anticipating the impact, appeared to suffer a genuine injury from the collision. Medical personnel immediately attended to the photographer on the pitch to provide emergency care, while Khusanov received a yellow card for the challenge.
While Khusanov emerged from the violent collision unscathed, the photographer's exact medical condition and the severity of any injuries remained unclear at the time of reporting. The incident drew significant reaction on social media, with observers expressing concern for the photographer's wellbeing and criticism of Khusanov's challenge, with some noting that such collisions can be serious and dangerous.
The dramatic incident preceded Colombia's opening goal by approximately five minutes. Crystal Palace forward Daniel Muñoz scored a spectacular goal with an impressive technical touch, capitalizing on a well-executed cross from Díaz, giving Colombia the lead in the group stage encounter.
Why This Matters
This incident highlights the ongoing safety risks for press photographers in high-intensity sports, especially during matches with fast defensive plays. Readers following sports journalism safety or player conduct will find this relevant to discussions on pitch-side safety protocols and rules enforcement.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 18, 2026
WireNews of incident published