Norwich City winger Ali Ahmed is set for a lengthy lay-off after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the Canaries' penultimate pre-season friendly against CA Osasuna. The Canadian suffered the blow just minutes after coming off the bench, landing awkwardly as he attempted to contort his body to control a long diagonal pass. Subsequent scans and medical tests revealed the wide man had ruptured his ACL in his right knee and will now undergo surgery in the coming weeks.
What happened?
Ali Ahmed suffered an ACL injury in the Canaries' pre-season friendly against CA Osasuna.
Why it matters for Norwich City
The cruel setback comes after a memorable 2026 for Ahmed, having quickly settled into Championship life following his move from Vancouver Whitecaps in January, contributing four goals and three assists in 21 outings before starring at a historic World Cup for Canada on home soil as they reached the last 16.
What comes next?
Ahmed will now undergo surgery in the coming weeks, and the club is weighing up all avenues at this stage, both internally and externally, with the likes of Papa Amadou Diallo, Ante Crnac, and Errol Mundle-Smith all working their way towards returns, while Amankwah Forson's expected Carrow Road exit could be reassessed.
Norwich City are currently 9th in the Championship, 30 points behind leaders Coventry, with 63 goals scored and 56 conceded (+7 goal difference) this season. The Canaries are also currently without Mirko Topić, who is sidelined.
Sporting director Ben Knapper was questioned on whether Norwich would dip back into the transfer market to add another left-sided attacking option during Monday's fans forum with BBC Radio Norfolk. "Of course, it wasn't something that we were planning to have to do. We're just not at a position yet with it being so fresh to have exact clarity on what it all means," he said.
"It is understood Norwich are weighing up all avenues at this stage, both internally and externally, with the likes of Papa Amadou Diallo, Ante Crnac, and Errol Mundle-Smith all working their way towards returns, while Amankwah Forson's expected Carrow Road exit could be reassessed.
Mohamed Toure requested to take over Ahmed's No. 21 shirt as a show of support for his close teammate and friend, with the change subsequently approved by the club. Ahmed will now take Toure's vacant No. 37 shirt for the 2026/27 campaign.
Speaking to City's channels, Toure said: "Since we both arrived at the club in January, we've become really close friends. We were all devastated for Ali when we saw him go down in the game, as it immediately looked like a really bad one.
"We know Ali will have a long road ahead of him. It's unfortunate that he can't be with us on the pitch, but in switching to his number for the season ahead, I want him to know that he has all of our full support and love.
