From Arsenal to Liverpool, which elite clubs are struggling with World Cup burnout?

The World Cup may have been a thrilling spectacle, but its physical toll on the world's top footballers cannot be overstated. As the Premier League and other top European leagues prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 season, several elite clubs are facing the challenge of World Cup burnout head-on. Among them are Arsenal and Liverpool, two of England's most storied clubs, who have already begun to feel the effects of their players' grueling international schedule.

Arsenal's manager, Mikel Arteta, has been vocal about the challenges his squad faces in the upcoming season. With the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus having logged extensive minutes for England, Arteta knows that his team's early-season form will be heavily influenced by the players' World Cup exertions. Similarly, Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp is also aware of the risks of burnout, having seen his players push themselves to the limit in a World Cup campaign that ultimately ended in disappointment for England. With the likes of Mohamed Salah and Jordan Henderson having played crucial roles for the Three Lions, Klopp will be keen to manage their workloads carefully in the coming weeks.

Beyond the English clubs, other top European sides are also facing similar challenges. In Spain, Barcelona's manager Xavi Hernandez has spoken about the need to be cautious with his players' fitness levels, particularly after a World Cup campaign that saw several of his stars, including Ansu Fati and Pedri, play significant minutes for Spain. Meanwhile, in Germany, Bayern Munich's Julian Nagelsmann has highlighted the difficulties of balancing his squad's needs with the demands of the World Cup, as his team prepares to face the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal in the Champions League.

As the 2026-27 season gets underway, clubs will be closely monitoring the fitness levels of their World Cup stars. While some teams may be better equipped to handle the challenges of burnout than others, it's clear that the physical toll of the World Cup will be a major factor in the coming months. With so much at stake, managers will need to be strategic in their approach to managing their players' workloads, lest they suffer the consequences of World Cup burnout.