FIFA has established a task force led by former Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger to address growing concerns about player welfare and the increasingly congested football calendar.
The move comes amid a legal challenge from European leagues and the players’ union FIFPro against FIFA over its control of the international match calendar.
The task force, which includes representatives from FIFA’s member associations, confederations, the European Club Association (ECA), and the World Leagues Association (WLA), will examine ways to implement effective safeguards for players, considering factors such as operational, medical, regulatory, and legal perspectives.
“The objective of the task force is to examine how suitable and effective safeguards for players can be implemented, also taking into account practical considerations from operational, medical, regulatory and legal perspectives,” FIFA said in a statement. “It will then make recommendations informed by the latest scientific research into the topic of players’ physical and mental wellbeing.”
The group is expected to convene in the coming weeks.
The expansion of the Club World Cup to a 32-team tournament, set to take place in the United States next year, has further intensified the football calendar. This has led to growing concerns among players about the physical and mental strain of an ever-increasing number of matches.
Spain and Manchester City midfielder Rodri recently expressed frustration with the situation, suggesting that players might resort to strike action as a last resort.
