Club World Cup’s schedule congestion and player health concerns force FIFA to take new key steps to protect players

In a move that echoes global calls for reform, the soccer governing body has reached a pivotal agreement with player representatives—one that could reshape how elite soccer is scheduled.

FIFA has taken a decisive step to address the rising concerns over player health and burnout, following growing criticism surrounding congested schedules and overloaded fixtures. In a move that echoes global calls for reform, the soccer governing body has reached a pivotal agreement with player representatives—one that could reshape how elite soccer is scheduled.

But what exactly has FIFA agreed to, and how will this affect the global soccer calendar? That was the mystery leading up to the announcement, made on the eve of the 2025 Club World Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, a tournament that has itself been at the center of recent scheduling controversies.

The expanded Club World Cup, now involving 32 of the world’s top teams and played during the European offseason, has been harshly criticized for overburdening players. Unions, clubs, and athletes have voiced urgent concern over the growing number of matches and the diminishing recovery time between them.

“It is urgent to stop this massacre,” declared France’s union of professional soccer players, adding that the workload imposed on players has become unsustainable.

Those fears were only amplified in the lead-up to the month-long tournament. Critics pointed to a spike in injuries and growing fatigue among top professionals, calling for radical intervention to safeguard both physical and mental health.

FIFA’s new player health measures

In response, FIFA announced it had reached a consensus with several player unions to implement two core measures:

• A mandatory 72-hour rest period between matches
• A minimum 21-day holiday period at the end of each season

“There is a consensus that there must be at least 72 hours of rest between matches, and that players should have a rest period or holiday of at least 21 days at the end of each season,” FIFA stated.

These provisions are designed to ease the burden on players and promote longevity in their careers. However, FIFA also added that “this period should be managed individually by each club and the respective players, depending on their match calendars and existing collective agreements.”

The new framework also includes a weekly rest day and a commitment to factoring in travel demands and weather conditions when scheduling future competitions.

Implementation remains unclear

While these developments are described as “progressive” by FIFA, implementation details remain murky. Crucially, global players’ union FIFPRO was not involved in the discussions, raising concerns about whether the agreement is enforceable.

Strict enforcement of the 72-hour rule could present significant logistical challenges, particularly for European leagues. For example, clubs participating in the Europa League often play on Thursday nights and again on Sundays. A firm 72-hour rule would push their domestic fixtures to Monday—something that may conflict with broadcast contracts and fan expectations.

The German Bundesliga, for instance, scrapped Monday night matches in 2021 following fan protests. Its new television contract, effective next season, excludes Monday games entirely, meaning fixture reshuffling to meet FIFA’s new recommendations may prove unfeasible.