In fact, the incidences of player injuries have already increased IDM in most of Europe’s major leagues, such as La Liga and the Premier League, this 2024-2025 season. Out of frustration, players do not only threaten to go on strike but have also submitted a formal complaint against FIFA to the European Commission.
In that complaint that was submitted by the International Federation of Professional Footballers, FIPro, along with the European Leagues-there were one too many concerns about the congested international match calendar and how such a calendar can put the health of players in jeopardy.
The physical load has gone to a breaking point, considering that players will have played more than 70 matches this season, with little time for rest and recovery. New formats to some of the tournaments, like the Club World Cup and Champions League, will further worsen the problem.
For instance, there is a new demand for a Champions League with at least eight group stage matches every season and a remodelled Club World Cup featuring 32 teams in an exhausting format that will require at least three matches by teams.
Injuries have been recorded so far, with players blaming their conditions on too much workload. Casualties include stars like Rodri and Marc-André ter Stegen. The pressure is not eased on FIFA to do something with the scheduling, with players still speaking their minds out.
