Relentless calendar: How Mamelodi Sundowns’ FIFA Club World Cup campaign risks player burnout
Too much football? Mamelodi Sundowns' participation in the FIFA Club World Cup could hinder the start to the new season, as well as Bafana Bafana's attempts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Photo: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
Mamelodi Sundowns face a demanding fixture list next season as they look to compete on all fronts once again.
The Brazilians are currently in the United States of America and will kick off their FIFA Club World Cup campaign when they take on South Korea’s Ulsan HD at midnight. For South African fans who want to support the team, they will have to make do with sleepless nights.
Coming off a gruelling league campaign, Sundowns’ involvement in the Club World Cup could leave them playing catch-up next season. Their final group match against Fluminense is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, and if their tournament ends there, they’ll have only a few weeks to recover and prepare for the new campaign.
Last season, Sundowns began their CAF Champions League campaign on July 11. If the upcoming season follows a similar schedule, the players will have only a handful of days to rest. Progressing beyond the group stage in the Club World Cup would tighten that turnaround even further.
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The situation isn’t any easier for global giants like Manchester City and Real Madrid. If either side reaches the final, they too will face a demanding turnaround. Last September, former City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne criticised the Club World Cup schedule, warning that the additional fixtures would contribute to player burnout.
“The issue is that UEFA and FIFA keep adding extra matches, and we can raise concerns, but no solutions have been found. It seems that money speaks louder than the players’ voices,” the ex-City star said.
De Bruyne’s comments also came off the back of the revamped UEFA Champions League, which added more games.
In a World Cup year, this tournament will also not be welcomed by national team coaches. For instance, Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos has often selected a large number of Sundowns players for his squads. What condition will those players be in when the season gets underway?
Fatigue is known to affect player performance. Bafana Bafana resume World Cup qualifiers in September, and in December, when players in South Africa take a Christmas break, they head to Morocco to play in the Africa Cup of Nations.
And if they qualify for the World Cup, they will have gone almost two years without a break. Players are going to break down.
The growing demands on elite footballers – both locally and abroad – raise serious questions about sustainability in the game. For clubs like Sundowns, who are now operating on a global stage, and for national teams like Bafana Bafana, the cost of success may well be paid in injuries, burnout, and declining performances.
As fixtures pile up and rest becomes a luxury, it’s not just depth that will define champions – it’s endurance. Unless governing bodies begin to prioritise player welfare over profit, the beautiful game risks pushing its stars beyond breaking point.
IOL Sport
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