Match calendar almost unbearable for national team players: Dortmund coach Sahin

Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin has raised concerns over the growing demands on football players, especially those representing their national teams, citing the “unbearable” burden posed by an increasingly congested match calendar. Speaking ahead of Dortmund’s Champions League clash against Barcelona, Sahin highlighted the impact of the relentless schedule on player fitness and injury rates.

Dortmund has faced significant injury challenges this season, with up to 10 players sidelined at one point. While Sahin insisted that injuries are not an excuse, he pointed to the unsustainable workload on players, particularly those balancing club and international commitments.

“Especially for national team players, the burden is almost unbearable,” Sahin remarked during the press conference. “Yesterday, we were planning the season with the Club World Cup in mind, and I’m not even sure when Greg [Kobel] will have his holiday.”

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel, who will represent Dortmund at the upcoming Club World Cup, sat beside Sahin as the coach voiced his concerns.

The FIFA Club World Cup, set to feature 32 teams in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, is the latest addition to an already packed calendar. It overlaps with the players’ traditional summer break in a year without the World Cup or continental competitions in Europe, Asia, or South America.

The strain doesn’t end there. The expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will follow closely on the heels of the Club World Cup, leaving players with little recovery time between tournaments and the start of their respective league seasons.

While FIFA defends its calendar as a necessity for the sport’s growth, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has downplayed the issue, claiming it affects only a minority of players.

Sahin argued that the physical demands of modern football exacerbate the issue. “The game itself has changed. Ten or 15 years ago, there were fewer sprints and less running. Now you have to go completely to your limit in every game,” he explained.

He also pointed to mounting injuries at top clubs, including Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid, as evidence of the toll on players. “I don’t think FIFA will change it just because I’ve spoken out, but the burden is way too high for national team players,” he said.