Effects of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on Soccer Players' Performance

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Extremadura conducted a study to analyze the impact of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on match running performance in the First Spanish soccer league. The study involved collecting data from 11,530 individual match observations of 582 professional soccer players over the 2022/23 season. The results showed significant differences in match running performance between players who participated in the World Cup and those who did not.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that non-participants in the World Cup covered significantly greater total distance, and distances at low, medium, and high speeds compared to participants in the pre-World Cup period.
  • In the post-World Cup period, non-participants in the World Cup covered a greater total distance, and distances at low, medium, high, and very high speeds, and sprinting compared to participants.
  • The results suggest that a long winter break in LaLiga could help maintain or improve the physical performance of soccer players.
  • The study concluded that specific periodization of workload and recovery strategies for players participating in an international championship during the in-season period are crucial to prevent a decline in subsequent performance.
  • The research was funded by the European Union (EU), Government of Extremadura (Department of Economy and Infrastructure), LaLiga Research and Analysis Sections, and the Fernando Valhondo Calaff Foundation.
  • The study analyzed data from the First Spanish soccer league over the 2022/23 season, involving 370 matches and 582 professional soccer players.

Statistics:

  • 11,530 individual match observations were collected from 582 professional soccer players over the 2022/23 season.
  • 370 matches were analyzed in the study.
  • 582 professional soccer players were involved in the study.
  • Non-participants in the World Cup covered significantly greater total distance (GMT: 55.83 ± 13.08 km/h vs GMT: 47.93 ± 11.41 km/h) in the post-World Cup period compared to participants.
  • Non-participants in the World Cup covered greater distances at low (11.02 ± 2.51 km/h vs 9.34 ± 2.29 km/h), medium (23.21 ± 4.56 km/h vs 20.45 ± 4.08 km/h), high (47.49 ± 10.32 km/h vs 42.21 ± 8.45 km/h), and very high speeds (65.33 ± 16.75 km/h vs 59.37 ± 15.28 km/h), and sprinting in the post-World Cup period compared to participants.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Reports Outline Sport Biology Study Findings from University of Extremadura (Effects of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 On Match Running Performance In the Spanish Professional Soccer League: a Pilot Study). Life Science Weekly. July 1, 2025; p 2753.
  • Biology of Sport. Effects of the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 On Match Running Performance In the Spanish Professional Soccer League: a Pilot Study. 2025;42(3):269-274.