Canada midfielder Ismael Kone was stretchered off with a broken leg during the 2026 World Cup, and the financial fallout from his injury will not only affect his national team but also his club, Sassuolo. That is because FIFA’s Club Protection Programme is set to pay out nearly half a million pounds to cover the Italian side’s losses while Kone is sidelined.
The FIFA Club Protection Programme is a compensation scheme that reimburses clubs when their players are injured while on international duty. To qualify, the injury must rule the player out for more than 28 consecutive days. The programme covers a player’s base salary (up to a daily cap) for the period they are unavailable, with the aim of protecting clubs from the financial impact of losing a key asset during international windows.
“How FIFA compensates clubs when players are injured on international duty.”
The scheme was introduced by FIFA in 2012 after years of lobbying by clubs, who argued that they bore the financial risk when players were injured representing their countries. It was initially piloted for men’s international matches and later expanded to include women’s football. The programme is funded by a levy on the revenue generated by the World Cup and other FIFA tournaments, meaning it does not cost clubs or national associations directly.
For UK readers, this matters because Premier League clubs frequently have players called up for international duty. When a player like a Manchester United or Liverpool star suffers a serious injury on international duty, the club can claim compensation through this programme to offset wages paid while the player recovers. The programme covers all players registered with clubs that are members of FIFA, including those in the English football league system. However, the compensation is limited to the player’s base salary and does not cover transfer fees, bonuses, or other costs. The maximum daily amount is capped, and claims must be submitted within 30 days of the injury.
Q: How much compensation will Ismael Kone’s club receive? The Mirror reports that Kone earns around £3,200 per week at Sassuolo. If he is ruled out for 150 days, FIFA would pay out £480,000. The final amount could be higher depending on the full length of his recovery, but it is capped under the programme’s rules.
Q: Do all international tournaments qualify for the FIFA Club Protection Programme? Yes, the programme covers all FIFA-sanctioned international matches, including the World Cup, continental tournaments such as the European Championship and Copa América, and international friendlies. However, the injury must occur while the player is on duty with their national team, including during matches, training, or travel.
Q: How do clubs apply for compensation? Clubs must submit a claim to FIFA within 30 days of the injury, providing medical evidence that the player will be unfit for more than 28 days. FIFA then verifies the claim and pays the club directly after the player is cleared to return to full training. The programme does not cover pre-existing injuries or those caused by misconduct.
What happens next: Kone will begin rehabilitation after successful surgery, and his club Sassuolo will likely submit a claim to FIFA. The final compensation will depend on how many days he is actually ruled out. The programme is set to be reviewed after the 2026 World Cup, but no changes have been announced yet.