FIFPRO Sounds Alarm on Player Burnout as Club World Cup Heat Adds to Pressure

As the expanded FIFA Club World Cup kicks off, global players’ union FIFPRO has issued a stark warning: elite footballers are being driven to the brink. In a report released Friday, produced with Football Benchmark’s Player Workload Monitoring tool, FIFPRO revealed that just 13% of players who took part in Euro 2024 or Copa America received the minimum 28-day off-season break recommended by health experts.

Citing "relentless" scheduling, the union outlined 12 proposed safeguards, including mandatory off-seasons, mid-season breaks, retraining periods, and specific limits for youth players. “This study sets out safety standards based on the independent insight of those who know firsthand the toll on players,” said FIFPRO Medical Director Prof. Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge. “If health really comes first, these steps are non-negotiable.”

The warning takes on immediate relevance: on Saturday, PSG and Atlético Madrid will play their Club World Cup opener at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl—just days after several players featured in the Nations League final and the Champions League final. The noon kickoff, scheduled for European prime time, will take place in temperatures above 90°F (32°C), raising additional concerns over heat-related risks.

FIFPRO is taking legal action as well. In 2024, the union filed a lawsuit against FIFA, accusing it of abusing its position and violating European competition law by expanding the global match calendar. That case is ongoing, but the new workload data serves as powerful evidence.

“Something has to give,” warned performance expert Dr. Darren Burgess. “These players aren’t machines. Science, common sense, and occupational health law all agree: this isn’t sustainable.” For now, the only thing breaking appears to be the athletes themselves.