With the 2026 World Cup yet to kick off, controversy over its schedule, player workload, and playing conditions is already intensifying. FIFA’s expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams means a total of 104 matches—the highest ever. For many top players, this World Cup will follow a grueling club season that offers barely any respite, pushing them directly into the tournament with no break.
The Mirror UK exclusively quoted Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) Chief Executive Maheta Molango, who revealed that a growing number of players are seriously discussing potential “action” because they feel pushed to their limits by the football industry. Molango even warned that this summer’s World Cup might not showcase technical brilliance or tactical artistry, but instead become a brutal battle for survival.
“A World Cup should be the pinnacle of dreams, but the reality could turn into a survivor game. That’s not normal,” Molango said. He argued that matches are increasingly won not by the better team, but by the one with better physical condition.
“Many games are now decided by who can still run, who can hold on, not by who plays better football. Players are super athletes and earn high salaries, but that doesn’t mean they should be pushed indefinitely,” he stressed, emphasizing that the issue is no longer just fatigue but genuine health risks.
“Some may not care about the players, but they should at least care about the product itself. Fans spend thousands on tickets not to watch players walking around the pitch,” Molango added. He noted that players are increasingly aware they need to protect themselves, possibly by refusing certain matches.
“Maybe we’ll see players start saying, ‘I’m not playing that friendly you scheduled.’” He criticized football authorities for constantly expanding competitions while ignoring player capacity. “There are many people who just push things through, thinking they can keep everything running by applying pressure. But they overlook one thing—players are human, and they are far more aware than people think. This generation of players is very intelligent and understands the power of unity.”
Data shows that this season, 19 Premier League players have accumulated over 4,000 minutes of playing time across all competitions. Among the top 20 players in Europe’s top five leagues, Premier League players occupy 11 spots. Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk leads Europe with 4,761 minutes, approaching the 5,000-minute mark. His teammate Dominik Szoboszlai ranks fourth with 4,556 minutes. The highest-ranked English player is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers with 4,382 minutes.
Meanwhile, players from Arsenal, Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are also under heavy loads due to European and international commitments. FIFPRO, the international players’ union, previously released a report criticizing the football calendar as “unprecedentedly long and crowded” and recommended at least four weeks of complete rest each summer along with a winter break.
Talk of a potential player strike dates back to 2024, when Manchester City midfielder Rodri, after a 63-match season, publicly stated that players were “very close” to taking strike action. Shortly after those comments, Rodri suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury.
In recent years, FIFA and UEFA have expanded tournaments—World Cup, Club World Cup, Champions League reforms, and added schedule in the Europa Conference League—all increasing player strain. While England has abolished FA Cup replays, the League Cup remains, meaning the overall schedule has not been lightened.
Molango also shared that one player told him: “I don’t drink, I don’t stay up late. I’ve done everything to keep my body in shape, and I still get injured.” The player later added,