FIFA outlines when clubs receive compensation for international-duty injuries
October 1, 2026 16:42
Clubs whose players suffer injuries while on international duty can receive financial compensation from FIFA in specific circumstances. The issue has been topical during the extended September/October international break, when Premier League players such as Bruno Fernandes, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak, Nico O'Reilly, Kai Havertz, Brian Brobbey and Dan Ballard — and Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe for France — have sustained injuries.
HOW THE COMPENSATION WORKS
FIFA's Club Protection Programme pays clubs directly when a player sustains a new injury on international duty that prevents them from taking part in full training or matches for at least a continuous 28 days. Compensation is calculated based on the player's salary and applies to breaks in which international "A" matches are played on the dates of the international match calendar.
The eligible period runs from the moment a player leaves their home or parent club's address to attend international duty until either midnight local time on the day they return home or 48 hours after leaving their national team, whichever comes first.
A maximum of €7.5m can be paid for a single player, at a daily pro-rata rate of €20,548. The programme will cover up to 365 days for the same player and the same injury.
WHO IS COVERED — AND WHO ISN'T
Only fresh injuries sustained while on international duty qualify. Pre-existing injuries are excluded, although a later recurrence of an injury will qualify if it happens less than 30 days after the previous occurrence.
The scheme does not cover sickness, permanent disability, death, self-inflicted injuries or attempted self-harm. Bonuses and one-off contractual payments are not included in the compensation — only salary is considered.
WHEN PAYMENTS STOP
Payments cease if the player returns to full training or matches, the player's contract expires, the player dies or changes occupation, or the club has already received the maximum permitted compensation for that individual.