Players reaching their limit, FIFPRO warns

New addition to calendar

The new Club World Cup is a supersized version of what used to be a short tournament with only seven teams. The new edition includes 32 teams from around the world and will be held every four years, starting this summer in the United States from June 14 to July 13. As its name suggests, it's envisioned to be club version of the World Cup for national teams.

That means top players will have a monthlong tournament on top of their domestic league season three out of every four years. With more games also added to the Champions League in Europe this season, as well as the next World Cup in 2026, the soccer calendar is filling up quickly.

"It's something that worries us, because we are the guys who suffer," Rodri said in September, just days before he was injured. He said players may have no choice but to refuse to play if the trend continues.

He's not the only one feeling frustrated.

In a post on X last year, Raphael Varane, a member of France's World Cup winning squad in 2018, said the schedule was putting players' physical and mental well-being at risk.

"Why are our opinions not being heard?" asked the 31-year-old Varane, who retired from the national team two years ago, and from playing altogether in September this year following an injury.

In July, England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham described the schedule as "crazy".

"It's difficult on the body — mentally and physically you are exhausted," he said after England ended the European Championship as runner-up.

FIFPRO says a significant number of players routinely play 60-70 matches a season. The union's recommended limit is 55.

Last season, Julian Alvarez played 75 games for former club Manchester City and Argentina in 10 different competitions spanning the Premier League, Champions League, Copa America and Olympics.

The season before, Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes played 70 times, including a run of 20 consecutive games.