FIFA Club World Cup schedule pushes players to the edge, FIFPRO warns
Football’s nonstop push for more games is driving pro players toward burnout, warned the global players' group International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO). The report came out before the FIFA Club World Cup began, as it shows how the packed schedule puts player health, financials, and the future of the sport at risk.
Tim Bridge, a top sports business partner at Deloitte, said that there's a never-ending hunger for growth and fame. 'Everybody wants to be the biggest and the best. But there’s only so much “best” to go around', he added. Bridge warned that players can get caught in a bad cycle without caution.
FIFPRO says only 13% of players in games like Euro 2024 or Copa América had the suggested 28-day break before the season. In response, they are asking for 12 proposed safeguards to protect players. Among the highlights are the following:
- A 4-week break after the season
- Rest between matches
- Four-week reconditioning period
- A limit on the number of games for players under 18
These ideas are backed by a study with 70 health and training experts. Over 75% of them agreed with each rule. FIFPRO and player groups in England and France have already gone to court against FIFA in the EU. With the ongoing tournament, FIFPRO is urging action before football loses its biggest stars.
