RIO DE JANEIRO (AP):

The younger brother of Ivory Coast players Yaya and Kolo Touré died on Thursday, the same day his famous siblings were representing their country at the World Cup, the Ivory Coast Football Federation said.

The 28-year-old Ibrahim Touré died in England, the Ivorian federation said in a statement, and Yaya and Kolo were informed soon after Ivory Coast's 2-1 loss to Colombia at the World Cup in Brazil.

The IFF did not give a cause of death but said Ibrahim died in Manchester, where Yaya plays his club football for English champions Manchester City in the Premier League and where Kolo used to play. British media reported that Ibrahim, who was also a footballer, was battling cancer and had been receiving treatment in Manchester.

"A tough day for the Toure brothers. Just hours after the (Colombia) match ... Kolo and Yaya have learned of the death of their younger brother," the IFF said in its statement. "The entire Ivorian delegation in Brazil supports them in this painful circumstance."

The IFF didn't say if the brothers would now leave the World Cup in Brazil, where Ivory Coast has a chance of making the second round for the first time.

Midfielder Yaya Touré captained the team against Colombia in Brasilia on Thursday, while Liverpool defender Kolo was on the bench. Despite losing its second game, Ivory Coast is second in Group C behind Colombia ahead of a final group match against Greece. Yaya Touré, the current African player of the year, is a pivotal player for the team.

Manchester City released a statement saying "the thoughts of everyone connected with City are with the Touré family at this most difficult time.