Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden has been described as a “victim” of football’s congested fixture calendar after missing out on England’s World Cup squad, according to the chief executive of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), Maheta Molango. Foden, 25, was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the tournament in North America following a difficult season for Manchester City. Molango said the number of matches Foden has been available for has declined, and that when he has played, he has not shown the same level that made him one of the outstanding performers in previous campaigns.
Foden had been among the game’s standout players in the 2023-24 season, when he collected several individual honours, including the PFA player of the year award. However, his recent dip in form and reduced availability have raised wider concerns about the effects of a relentless football schedule. Molango argued that players like Foden are suffering because of a calendar driven too heavily by commercial interests, warning that the quality of the sport and the protection of players are being compromised.
Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer was another high-profile player mentioned in the discussion. The 24-year-old also endured a challenging season and was not selected by England. Molango said supporters of both Chelsea and England had only seen “a glimpse” of Palmer’s talent this year, suggesting his output was limited by the demands placed on top players across club and international football.
The comments were made in the context of a meeting of Fifpro, the global union for professional footballers, where leading players and the pressures they face were discussed. Fifpro has long argued that elite players cannot endure season after season of intense competition without eventually suffering injuries or a decline in performance. The organisation believes the current workload placed on top professionals is unsustainable.
To support that argument, Fifpro has highlighted workload data on several prominent players. Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice and Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk were cited as players who could be at greater risk of injury or reduced form next season because of the number of games they have played. Van Dijk played in all 38 of Liverpool’s Premier League matches, while Rice appeared in 36 for Arsenal.
Both players are expected to take part in the expanded 48-team World Cup, where matches will be staged in high temperatures. Molango warned that the tournament could become a “survival of the fittest” if players arrive already overloaded by club commitments. He said there is a real danger that some of the world’s most talented footballers will reach a point where the demands are simply too much.
According to Molango, it is not realistic for players to enter a major international competition after already featuring in close to 60 matches in a season. The PFA and Fifpro’s intervention adds to growing debate about fixture congestion, player welfare, and the long-term impact of an increasingly crowded football calendar on performance, health and the spectacle of the game.
