Are There Too Many Football Matches? Does The Calendar Prioritise Commercial Over health Interests?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will have 48 nations participating instead of the 32 that competed in Qatar in 2022. It is just one of the many changes to the football calendar in recent times that will put extra pressure on an already congested schedule.

From the perspective of organisers like FIFA and UEFA, the implementation of new competitions and extended formats makes sense. However, players and player unions are raising concerns about the full calendar and the impact it has on players’ physical and mental wellbeing. It is a trade-off between the health of players and the commercial interests of other stakeholders.

So, what kind of new competitions and formats have been and will be implemented? What are the commercial and financial interests of governing bodies and clubs? To what extend is players’ health a priority? And what do other stakeholders, like fans, think of it?

Infantino: ‘more and not less competitions at worldwide level’

During the 73rd FIFA Congress in March 2023, FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced (the desire for) several new competitions. One of them is a new Club World Cup. Currently, the annual tournament is contested by seven clubs, champions of their respective continental club competition. From 2025 onwards, 32 teams will compete every four years in a set-up similar to the World Cup for nations.

In the non-Club World Cup years, there will be a play-off between the continental club tournament champions. The winner will then face the Champions League winner at a neutral venue. This will ensure there continues to be a yearly international competition for clubs.

In his address, Infantino noted that there is a need for ‘more and not less competitions at worldwide level.’ As FIFA wants ‘football to evolve, develop worldwide.’

FIFA World Cup expansion

This is also used as an argument to expand the FIFA World Cup to 48 nations from the 2026 edition onwards. It means that 16 more teams will participate than during the last seven World Cups since France 1998. Apart from the three host countries (Canada, Mexico, and the USA), guaranteed berths are given to 16 European (UEFA), nine African (CAF), eight Asian (AFC), six South American (CONMEBOL), three North and Central American (CONCACAF) and one Oceanian (OFC) nation.

The final two berths will be decided by a play-off tournament involving six teams from the various confederations (including two CONCACAF nations but excluding UEFA).

The 50 percent increase in total number of teams, will ensure that around 23 percent of the 211 FIFA members can participate at the final tournament compared to the 15 percent that played at the 2022 World Cup Qatar. This should have a positive impact on the already high worldwide popularity of the tournament amongst fans and hopefully evolve the game even further.

The increase in nations also means an increase in the total number of matches that will be played. Instead of 64, 104 matches will be staged. That is a 62.5 percent increase. The winner will play eight instead of seven matches, while the number of tournament days will probably increase to 39.

Expansion of the FIFA World Cup

Increased revenue from a larger World Cup

A desire to grow football worldwide is not FIFA’s only driving factor behind expanding the World Cup. The change will significantly increase the governing body’s revenue. To such an extent, that FIFA already tried to expand the 2022 edition to 48 teams in 2019, just three years prior to the tournament.

A feasibility study at the time found that if one of Qatar’s neighbours would have become an additional host, with two to four venues, it could have generated an additional $400 million in revenue. This would include among others $121.8 million more from broadcasters, $158.4 million more from sponsors and $89.9 million more from ticket sales.

FIFA’s desire for a 48-nation format will thus now happen at the 2026 World Cup. Analytics and measurement company Nielsen predicts that this change will increase World Cup revenue by $1.6 billion to $7 billion. A 30 percent increase that will be achieved by $500 million more in media revenue, a $700 million increase in sponsorship income and $400 million more in gate receipts (note: at the time of the study 80 matches were planned in the 48-nation format, not the 104 matches currently scheduled).

Gains of a biennial FIFA World Cup

Commercial gain is also one of the reasons why FIFA has suggested to turn the World Cup in a biennial, instead of quadrennial, event. Research by Nielsen and OpenEconomics suggest that such a format change (with 48 nations competing in both scenarios) could add an extra $4.4 billion in revenue during the first four-year cycle.

This would then be distributed amongst FIFA’s member associations, who could receive up to $25 million. An amount that consists of an average of up to $16 million from a $3.5 billion solidarity fund and $9 million of the FIFA’s Forward distribution (increase of 50 percent). The total amount member associations could receive is more than four times the current $6 million they receive every four-year cycle.

However, to stage the World Cup every two years and realise the subsequent financial gain, the international match calendar needs a revamp. There needs to be more alignment between the calendars of the different confederations. In addition, adjustments to number of rest days and required travel distance need to be implemented so there is less strain on players. When all the research’s suggestions are carried out (including biennial confederations final tournaments), national team football could increase revenue by $6.6 billion during the first four-year cycle.

UEFA rivalling FIFA with overloading the calendar

Like FIFA, UEFA is constantly looking at ways to improve its match calendar and tournaments. In both quality and quantity. In 2018, the governing body launched the Nations League. A European national team competition aimed at reducing ‘the number of meaningless international friendlies and raise the competitive balance across national team football.’

55 UEFA nations compete across four division with promotion and relegation after each two-year cycle. It has led to more competitive matches across all levels and new incentives for smaller football nations.

The four group winners of the highest division (League A with 12 nations in 2018/19 and 16 thereafter) face each other in the Nation League Finals. The tournament takes place every two years and creates an extra income stream for UEFA. In 2019, Portugal became the first champions by beating the Netherlands 1-0. While France became the champions of the second edition by beating Spain with 2-1. During the first two editions, eight different nations qualified for the final tournament. The third edition, taking place in the Netherlands from 14 to 18 June 2023, will be contested between Croatia (first participation), Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands (all second participation).

So far, a total of 23 different nations have played in League A of the Nations League. That is 42 percent of all UEFA members. During the first three editions nine out of 20 nations, 45 percent, reached the final tournament. The Nations League’s latest format change is a quarterfinal round from the 2024/25 edition onwards. Number one and two of the four League A groups will face off for four berths at the Finals.

UEFA Nations League competitiveness League A

UEFA – CONMEBOL cooperation

There were rumours that several CONMEBOL nations could be included in the Nations League tournament from the 2024/25 edition onwards, but for now those plans have been shelved.

UEFA did agree to more cooperation with CONMEBOL by signing a new memorandum of understanding in February 2020 and extending it in December 2021. The two governing bodies also opened a joint office in London.

One event highlighting the two governing bodies’ cooperation was the relaunch of the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Nations, also dubbed the Finalissima. The one-off match is a face-off between the European and Copa América champions. The first of a minimum of three editions took place in June 2022. Argentina beat Italy 3-0 in front of 87,112 fans at Wembley.

The enhanced cooperation is partly a response to FIFA’s plans for a biennial World Cup. A change that is predicted to have financial gains for FIFA, national federations, and football in general but may simultaneously dampen the profits of continental governing bodies such as UEFA and CONMEBOL.

UEFA Conference League

At club level, UEFA has also implemented new competitions and formats. One of them is the launch of the UEFA Conference League in 2021. A third European club competition that gives more clubs, from more countries the chance to play at a European level. This should ultimately lead to more experience and increase the level across the whole of European football.

The interest in the first edition and final were beyond expectations, helped by the fact that both finalists, AS Roma and Feyenoord, have a rich football history and a major fan base. The final saw the Italian side beat the Dutch by 1-0 in front of 19,597 fans in Tirana, Albania.

UEFA was overwhelmed by the demand for final tickets. Both clubs were allocated only 4,000 tickets for their fans, of which 75 percent were for free. In addition, UEFA put 8,500 tickets up for sale (priced between €25 and €125) to the public through its website. A mistake by UEFA over the start-of-sale time resulted in more Roma than Feyenoord fans attaining these tickets. Of those 8,500 tickets 89 percent went to Albanian buyers and 11 percent went to buyers from 20 other countries. If the Albanian purchasers did not resell the tickets, it means that local citizens were able to enjoy a high-profile match in their own country as was intended with these tickets.

New Champions League format in 2024/25

In addition to a third European club competition, UEFA will also change the format of its European competitions from the 2024/25 season onwards. For the Champions League the number of participating clubs will increase from 32 to 36 and the current group stage will be replaced by a Swiss league model.

This means that all clubs will be ranked in one table with each team playing eight different teams in four home and four away games. Opponents will be determined by draw and ranking. The first eight teams qualify directly for the knock-out stage, while clubs ranked nine to 24 will play a play-off round.

How does the UEFA Champions League change in 2024/25?

It means every club plays at least eight matches, instead of the current six. In addition, 67 percent of the teams play at least 10 matches, including five home games.

Open competition, competitive balance, more revenue

According to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, the new format will improve the competitive balance and therefore have more appeal. In addition, it will generate good revenue which will be distributed to clubs, leagues and grassroot football. In response to the failed launch of the Super League at the time, Ceferin highlighted that UEFA’s new format defends ‘the key principle of open competitions, with qualification based on sporting merit.’

At first, UEFA wanted to have 10 matches in the first stage. However, after consultation it became eight, with the current format being unanimously approved by the UEFA Executive Committee, European Club Association (ECA), European Leagues and National Associations. Similar changes will be implemented to the Europa League and Conference League.

The eight first-stage games are a third more than in the current group-stage set-up. And while UEFA noted they listened amongst others to fans, players, coaches, national federations, clubs, and leagues, it will put further pressure on the calendar and on players.

New and planned FIFA & UEFA competitions and formats since 2018

The perspective of clubs, leagues, and member associations

FIFA will distribute part of the extra revenue generated from the expanded World Cup format to its member associations. National federations will receive more income through the FIFA’s solidarity fund and Forward distribution. This will benefit most countries, especially smaller, less football-developed nations.

In 2023, FIFA also agreed with the European Club Association to give more compensation to clubs whose contracted players are going to the FIFA World Cup. This agreement will last until 2030. During the 2018 and 2022 editions the total compensation for clubs reached $209 million. This amount will rise by almost 70 percent to $355 million (€329 million) for the 2026 and 2030 editions.

UEFA also announced it would distribute solid revenue increases from the new European club competitions to clubs, leagues and grassroot football. So, it is no surprise clubs agree with the changes when the amount of compensation is high enough.

FIFA Club Protection Programme for injuries

Besides getting compensation for releasing players for international duty, clubs also receive money when players sustain a temporary injury while at their national team. The FIFA Club Protection Programme (CPP), as it is officially called, compensates clubs up to a maximum of €7.5 million per player per accident.

Based on the player’s fixed salary, the compensation is paid on a daily ‘pro rata’ of up to €20,548 per day (maximum of 365 days, excluding the first 28 days). FIFA’s total maximum budget is currently set at €80 million per year. The first such scheme ran from September 1, 2012 to December 31, 2014 and resulted in FIFA paying €39.3 million to clubs to compensate for injuries.

When it comes to club competitions, an increase in the number of games means more revenue from gate receipts and broadcasting. Participating clubs of the new Champions League set-up will have an extra home game each season, for example.

Players feel they have little to no say

Where clubs, leagues and member associations gain financially from the extra games through higher direct income, distribution of extra FIFA (or UEFA) revenue and compensation, players just play and travel more.

Players and player unions have been voicing their concern about the numerous new tournaments and formats. They believe they have little to no say in the matter, with only 22 percent believing they are heard when it comes to these issues according to a FIFPRO (International Federation of Professional Footballers) study. Footballers’ health, both physical and mental, does not seem to be the number one priority in today’s football market.

The study found that 54 percent of the players say they suffered a physical injury due to schedule overload. Moreover, 82 percent of higher performance coaches said the schedule has a negative impact on players’ mental health. They also suggested that there should be a maximum of 55 matches per season, with a majority (59.8 percent) even suggesting 50 as the maximum.

Too many matches

So, while the Nations League, for example, is a success according to UEFA, national associations and fans, some players are not as enthusiastic. Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne said the Nations League was ‘unimportant’ for him, mostly due to the gruelling calendar where players have often little more than three weeks off per year.

A FIFPRO message signed by players as Arturo Vidal, Maya Yoshida, and Mathew Ryan notes that players ‘are athletes, not machines’ and that players and coaches are saying that ‘too many matches, across too many overlapping competitions,’ are pushing them to their physical limits.

German and Manchester City player İlkay Gündoğan echoed this by tweeting his concern about the new Champions League format and the extra matches it would entail. While French and Manchester United player Raphaël Varane retired from international football in early 2023 at the age of 29, because of the demanding schedule and its effect on his mental health. Stating ‘the very highest level is like a washing machine, you play all the time and you never stop.’

Workload of players before the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, FIFPRO looked at the workload of World Cup players concluding that the ‘current situation cannot continue into the next calendar cycle and future tournaments.’ With the World Cup having been rescheduled to November and December, in the middle of the European club competition season, the average preparation (from 31 to seven days) and recovery (from 37 to eight days) time was greatly diminished. On top of that, there were great calendar imbalances due to inadequate planning by national leagues.

Where players from Portugal and Brazil were heavily overloaded, players from several African and Asian nations had played too little. Both situations could be ‘detrimental to a player’s overall health and career prospects.’ For players it is not just the number of matches and minutes, it is also the number of back-to-back matches (less than five days rest in between) and the amount of travelling.

Players with high workload

Between July 2021 and October 2022, Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk recorded the highest workload. The Dutch captain played 7,597 minutes in 78 apps, including 67 percent back-to-back minutes.

On average defenders play the most minutes, but attackers Sadio Mané and Harry Kane are listed in the top five with 7,266 and 7,201 minutes respectively.

Top 5 players with highest workload between July 2021 and October 2022

Conflicting interests

It is a situation where several parties have conflicting interests. Governing bodies want to organise more tournaments for more nations, national federations and clubs want their best players to always play and players want to play and win as much as possible. However, they do not always know how to or feel free to put their health first, resulting in injuries and mental problems.

An example of this was Pedri in his first season at FC Barcelona in 2020/21. The midfielder, who turned 18 in November of 2020, had his break-through and played a record 73 matches. He played 52 matches for his club and 21 for Spain, including 6 matches at both the UEFA European Championship and Olympic Games. He then played the first two games of the 2021/22 season before being given a two-week break during the September international break. On his return he suffered a hamstring injury.

Although Pedri seemed able to cope with the high number of games and performed consistently, the injury did not come as a surprise. Should a player that young following such a season, be allowed to play two major tournaments in one summer (multiple players did) and return to club football with (too) little rest?

Need for calendar revision

It is a question with no simple answer due to the conflicting interests. What is clear is that the international match calendar must be revised, so players get as much physical and mental rest as possible and do not travel extensively across the world and multiple time zones.

In addition, a maximum number of matches may have to be implemented and mandatory breaks after a certain number of back-to-back matches.

However, the last two could be difficult to implement as it could distort fair competition. As clubs, coaches and players will consider the scheduling of important fixtures. In addition, injuries and suspensions to other players might require a player to play more.

Fans have different interests

Fans appear aware of the trade-off between commercial gains and players’ health when it comes to new competitions and formats. However, fans have their own interests. They would like to see their favourite club and national team play as often as possible, but not at the expense of a loss in quality. They also understand the need for rest and do not want their favourite players to suffer injuries or mental fatigue. Fans want affordable games and the desire to keep tradition alive is high. It is no coincidence there were a lot of objections against the launch of a Super League.

Yet, opinions will differ based on different markets and continents. Europe has a lot of club and national football matches, while this is not always the case for Asian or African nations. The desire for a more frequent World Cup is therefore also the lowest in Europe compared to other continents, according to IRIS, a sports marketing research company.

Do fans want a more frequent World Cup?

For FIFA, IRIS asked football fans and people around the world whether they would like to watch the World cup more often, provided that players’ workload does not increase. Their research found that 63.7 percent of football fans worldwide, and especially the younger generations, would like that. With 76 percent, African fans reacted the most positively. While European fans’ approval rate was at 48 percent.

74 percent of football fans believe that if the World Cup is held more frequently, their national team would have more chance of qualifying or having more success. Especially those nations who do not qualify consistently, would like to see more frequent World Cups. With the highest approval rates found in Turkey (87 percent), India and South Africa (both 85 percent). The lowest percentage of football fans wanting to watch more World Cups was observed in England (15 percent), Germany (27 percent) and France (33 percent).

Percentage of football fans wanting to see more frequent World Cups

There is thus no easy solution with so many interests. The game of football has enormous commercial potential, and a Super League-initiative, pre-season at the other side of the world, Super Cups staged abroad, new competitions and formats are all testament to this. Some of these new formats and changes can certainly have a positive impact on the development and quality of the game. However, it has become a fragmented market that requires revision of the international match calendar and where players’ health should become the number one priority.