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The packed schedule of club competitions for the 2025/2026 season is raising concerns that players may arrive at the 2026 World Cup fatigued.

As a result, risks such as injuries and a decline in the tournament’s overall competitiveness have cast doubts over the quality of the 2026 World Cup.

Adding to the concerns, the new format of the 2026 World Cup—featuring 48 nations—will inevitably increase the physical and mental strain on players.

These issues are shaping the build-up to the global event, which kicks off on Friday, 11 June 2026.

Looking at the global football calendar, particularly at the club level, the schedule has grown increasingly congested with each passing season.

During the previous summer break, the expanded FIFA Club World Cup—featuring 32 clubs from across various continents—was added to the mix.

This tournament, designed with a World Cup-like format, effectively shortened the off-season rest period for participating players.

Even though not every player took part, the issue of player fitness remains a major concern ahead of the upcoming season.

It is therefore unsurprising that many players suffered injuries either before or during the 2025/2026 campaign.

Moreover, the revamped formats of European club competitions—namely the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League—now require teams to play as many as three matches per week.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, player fitness is being tested to the limit, especially with the tournament being held across three host nations.

In response, many players, coaches, and football stakeholders have voiced differing opinions on the matter.

Among the critics is former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher, who once likened players to livestock.

He believes the growing number of football competitions, including the World Cup, is placing excessive physical and mental demands on players.

“I think top players are being treated a little bit like cattle,” Carragher told BBC Sports.

“If they’re later criticised for their World Cup performances,”

“we need to remember how many games they’ve played,”

“and how heavy the physical and mental demands on them truly are,” he added.

The stakes are high as the countdown to the World Cup continues, and the football world remains divided over whether these sweeping changes represent progress or potential problems.

Two Indonesian football community figures—Arnan Binafsihi, Vice Chairman of Oranje Indonesia, and Arizqi Romadhoni, Chairman of Juventus Club Indonesia Chapter Banten—shared their contrasting views on how the congested club calendar could affect the World Cup.

Arnan Binafsihi acknowledged that the packed schedule and new tournament format could indeed heighten the risk of fatigue and injuries among players.

“There’s definitely a risk, because the tight club schedule continues straight into the World Cup. Players hardly get any rest, maybe just a little,” Arnan said during a World Cup discussion on Tribunnews’ YouTube podcast.

“Especially the risk of injury, since players usually go all out to deliver their best for their national teams,”

“The congested schedule leading into the World Cup—with 48 teams now—certainly carries a lot of risk,” he added.

On the other hand, Arizqi Romadhoni argued that the busier schedule could actually help players maintain their fitness levels.

While acknowledging the potential for injuries, he believes such incidents occur because players push themselves too hard in their desire to become national heroes.

“In fact, the dense schedule helps players stay in shape,” Arizqi told Tribunnews.

“Every player will surely aim to perform at their best for such a prestigious tournament,”

“The risks arise because every player wants to be a hero for their country,” he added.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July 2026.

A total of 48 national teams will be divided into 12 groups, competing for 32 knockout stage spots.

In total, the 2026 edition will feature 104 matches—an increase of nearly 40 games compared to the traditional 64-match format of previous tournaments.

(Tribunnews.com/Dwi Setiawan)