World Cup player fatigue analyzed by minutes played over past season
7 reported
BBC Sport analyzed the total minutes played by every member of the 26-man squads of the top 10 countries in the FIFA world rankings, measuring from June 15, 2025, when the expanded Club World Cup began. France enters the World Cup with the most fatigued squad, having accumulated 98,895 minutes from 1,341 matches. Portugal ranks second with 96,405 minutes from 1,299 matches, followed by England in third. The analysis also examined the workload of likely first-choice starting XIs, where Portugal moved to first place with five expected starters having made more than 50 starts in the last 12 months. Netherlands, despite ranking ninth in squad minutes, placed fourth for first XI minutes, suggesting a lack of depth. Individual player data shows Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk played the most minutes (5,661) among major nation players, starting all 64 of his appearances. Argentina forward Jose Manuel Lopez made the most appearances overall with 76.
What’s reported
France has the most fatigued squad with 1,341 matches totaling 98,895 minutes.
Portugal is second with 1,299 matches and 96,405 minutes.
England is third with 1,304 games played but fewer starts than Portugal.
Portugal’s first-choice XI has the highest workload, with five expected starters making over 50 starts.
Virgil van Dijk played 5,661 minutes, the most of any player from a major nation, starting all 64 appearances.
Argentina’s Jose Manuel Lopez made the most appearances (76) among all players analyzed.
74 players at the World Cup also featured in the 2025 Club World Cup.
Key figures
Didier Deschamps (France manager)
Maxence Lacroix (France defender)
Michael Olise (France forward)
Roberto Martinez (Portugal manager)
Vitinha (Portugal midfielder)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal forward)
Thomas Tuchel (England manager)
Harry Kane (England captain)
Morgan Rogers (England midfielder)
Julian Nagelsmann (Germany manager)
Jonathan Tah (Germany defender)
Vinicius Junior (Brazil forward)
Leo Pereira (Brazil defender)
Jose Manuel Lopez (Argentina striker)
Enzo Fernandez (Argentina midfielder)
Lionel Messi (Argentina forward)
Virgil van Dijk (Netherlands defender)
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium forward)
Gavi (Spain midfielder)
Martin Zubimendi (Spain midfielder)
Marc Cucurella (Spain defender)
Sources: BBC News
