The 2026 World Cup has created a major challenge for several Premier League clubs. The tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico finishes just weeks before the new league season begins.
With only 33 days between the World Cup final and the Premier League opening fixtures, many clubs will start pre season training without some of their most important players. The extra workload could affect player fitness and recovery ahead of the new campaign.
Manchester City Carry the Biggest World Cup Workload
Manchester City have suffered the biggest impact among Premier League teams. Their squad members have played a combined 5,027 minutes at the World Cup.
Spain midfielder Rodri has recorded 537 minutes during the tournament. England defender Marc Guehi has played 483 minutes, while Nico O’Reilly has completed 454 minutes.
Elliot Anderson, who is set to join Manchester City from Nottingham Forest, has also played a major role for England, adding another 533 minutes to City’s total.
The heavy international schedule could make pre season preparation more difficult for Pep Guardiola’s team.
Arsenal Players Also Face Heavy Demands
Arsenal rank second on the list, with their players completing 4,285 World Cup minutes.
France defender William Saliba has played 450 minutes, while England players Declan Rice, Noni Madueke, and Bukayo Saka have also spent significant time on the pitch.
Rice recorded 386 minutes, Madueke played 288 minutes, and Saka featured for 267 minutes during the tournament.
The workload may force Arsenal to carefully manage their players before the start of the new Premier League season.
Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United Also Affected
Several other top Premier League clubs have also seen their players involved heavily at the World Cup.
Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester United each recorded more than 2,500 World Cup minutes from their squads.
Meanwhile, Brentford experienced one of the lowest impacts among Premier League teams, with their players completing just over 600 minutes in total.
Goalkeepers Lead Individual Minutes Chart
Goalkeepers have also played a major role during the tournament. Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez leads all Premier League players with 600 minutes, while England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford follows with 570 minutes.
However, goalkeepers usually face different physical demands compared with outfield players because they cover less distance during matches.
World Cup Recovery Could Shape Premier League Season
The short gap between the World Cup and the Premier League season creates a difficult situation for many clubs.
Teams with more players involved in the tournament will need to focus on recovery, fitness management, and injury prevention.
Manchester City and Arsenal appear to face the biggest challenge, as their key players return from a demanding international competition just before domestic football begins.
