A study has found that the World Cup held in Qatar last year led to players within Europe’s top five leagues being injured for an average of eight days longer in the months that followed the tournament.
The data was published by insurance broker Howden in their European Football Injury Index for the 2022-23 season with players spending an average of 11.35 days sidelined in October 2022 compared to 19.41 days in January 2023 following the tournament. Certain injuries significantly increased with ankle injuries increasing by 170%, calf or shin by 200% and hamstring by 130%.
Howdens head of sport James Burrows said “We hope our research and analysis will provide Europe's top clubs with additional insight as they continue to talk to the game's governing bodies about an improved alignment of the domestic and international calendars and the broad issue of fixture congestion.”
You can access the Injury Index here.
