World Cup 2026: Which Premier League clubs carried the biggest workload?
Premier League stars have logged thousands of minutes at the World Cup. Manchester City and Arsenal face the heaviest burden as the new season looms.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 4.0 / Author: AFC Bournemouth
The 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico has left a significant mark on Premier League squads. With the tournament concluding this Sunday and the new league season just 33 days away, clubs are grappling with the absence of key players from their initial pre-season preparations.
Opta data reveals that Manchester City have carried the heaviest burden, with their squad clocking 5,027 minutes in the tournament. Arsenal follow closely with 4,285 minutes. Other clubs significantly impacted include Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Manchester United, all exceeding 2,500 minutes of total play.
The demanding schedule has taken a physical toll, resulting in several notable injuries. Amadou Onana of Aston Villa suffered a ruptured ACL, while Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte saw his tournament end early due to a knee issue. Players like Tottenham's Andy Robertson are also currently being assessed after picking up knocks.
Players who have played 130 games in the last two seasons, so it's an accident waiting to happen, when you continue to load, load and load. Mikel Arteta
Under FIFA regulations, players are entitled to at least three weeks of rest. Consequently, those involved in Sunday's final will not return to their clubs until August 10 at the earliest, providing them with less than two weeks of preparation before the Premier League campaign kicks off. The league's restart will be intense, with five matchweeks scheduled before the September 21 international break.