Top soccer players revolt against FIFA's new tournament

In 2024, top soccer players around the world have voiced their frustrations regarding the increasingly congested soccer calendar, which is reaching critical levels due to FIFA's new expanded Club World Cup. This newly formatted tournament will start in the United States next summer and will feature 32 teams, significantly up from its previous format of just seven teams. The new tournament is expected to add to the already busy schedules of players, which some athletes claim is leading them toward physical and mental burnout. Players are concerned that the growing number of matches, combined with prior commitments to domestic and international competitions, is unmanageable. Experts have noted that the prevalence of injuries, particularly hamstring injuries, has risen despite improvements in sports science and medicine. Last season, players like Julian Alvarez played a staggering 75 matches across various competitions. Recent statistics indicate that injuries among players are escalating year-on-year. The issue has been compounded by the addition of more matches in tournaments like the Champions League and the upcoming World Cup in 2026. Players are speaking out, claiming they feel 'at breaking point' and believe that the situation is unsustainable. Alexander Bielefeld, from the global players’ union FIFPRO, highlighted the urgent need for change as player welfare is increasingly threatened. In response to these concerns, FIFA has formed a player welfare task force led by Arsene Wenger to address the issues raised by players. However, FIFPRO expresses skepticism, arguing that European leagues are acting inconsistently and not taking a global perspective on player health. The debate around the Club World Cup and the broader implications of a congested calendar are likely to continue as the tournament approaches, risking the health and performance of the players involved.