Football at the highest international level has hit the ceiling in terms of the number of competitions and matches. Players and coaches complain that time is not enough for recovery and training – and that the consequence can be physically and mentally burned-out players.
At the same time, the risk of injury has increased.
What made the cup overflow was Fifa's heavily expanded World Championship for club teams, the several weeks long tournament that ends on Sunday evening.
Several players traveled to the USA directly after the club team season and national team assignments, when they would normally have gone on vacation a bit into June.
Criticism of Fifa has been sharp from club leaders, coaches, and players. Last month, the French players' association made a strong statement and meant that it is "urgent to stop this massacre".
Fifa's president Gianni Infantino met in the weekend in New York representatives from different player unions. According to Fifa, there is an agreement to find solutions that give players time for recovery during the season and at least three weeks of vacation.
"This period should be handled individually by each club and respective player, depending on the match program and with consideration to applicable collective agreements" writes Fifa.
