Q: What will you do to ensure FIFA World Cup 2026 player welfare?

The match schedule has been carefully developed to ensure that travel for players and fans alike will be minimised throughout the tournament.

Following the final draw, matches will be allocated to stadiums already assigned to groups, and kick-off times confirmed, enabling FIFA to optimise the conditions for players and fans, including those attending the tournament and watching across the globe. This will ensure that both players and fans have shorter journeys, particularly throughout the group stage, and provide FIFA with the best possible opportunity to schedule more matches at favourable times for global audiences.

Three full days of rest for teams will be observed for 103 of the tournament’s 104 matches, ensuring recuperation for the players and better action on the pitch for the fans.

FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, Arsène Wenger, recently commented: “Player welfare has improved dramatically in the last 20 years when you look at injury prevention, recovery work, nutrition and advances in medical technology. It is unrecognisable from what it used to be.”

--from fifa.com