FIFA has to pay compensation after a scary World Cup injury to Canada’s star player.
After Ismael Kone’s terrible leg injury during Canada’s big 6-0 win over Qatar, FIFA will have to pay significant compensation. The match, held in Vancouver, was overshadowed by Kone’s serious leg break early in the second half.
Kone had to be taken off on a stretcher after a bad challenge from Assim Madibo, who was sent off following a VAR review and later apologized in the locker room. Although Kone was clearly in pain, he managed to wave to fans who were cheering his name as he left the field and was quickly taken to the hospital.
Canada’s coach, Jesse Marsch, said after the game that those nearby “could hear the bone snap” and that “everybody’s shaken for him.” Kone later thanked fans and teammates for their support in an Instagram post. Canada also confirmed that he had “successful surgery to fix a lower leg fracture” and is “expected to fully recover.”
Marsch told the press that the surgery lasted about an hour and a half and was done by some of the best surgeons. He said, “When he arrived, the surgeons were ready, and after talking with them, I knew he was in very good hands.”
Although there’s no official timetable for Kone’s return, he’s expected to be out for about four to five months. Because of this injury, FIFA will pay compensation to his club, Sassuolo. Their FIFA Club Protection Programme covers accidental injuries players get while playing international football, as long as the player is out for more than 28 days.
Since Kone will miss a big part of the 2026/27 season, Sassuolo will receive compensation based on his salary, which is about £22,600 a week. That works out to roughly £3,200 a day. With Kone expected to be out for around 150 days but the first 28 days not counted, Sassuolo will likely get about £480,000.
The club shared a statement saying, “The surgery to fix his left leg was a complete success. Ismaël will start his rehab soon. The whole club wishes him a speedy recovery.”
Meanwhile, Canada will keep playing without Kone when they face Switzerland in Vancouver on Wednesday.