No Major Changes in Injury Incidence in European Club Football during the 2022/23 FIFA World Cup Season: A Subanalysis of the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Linkoping University have conducted a study comparing injury incidences between the 2022/23 season and the five preceding seasons in European club football. The study, which was part of the Union of European Football Associations Elite Club Injury Study, found that there were no major changes in injury incidences during the 2022/23 season compared to previous seasons. Furthermore, the study revealed that World Cup players experienced similar injury incidences before and after the tournament, and had a lower match injury incidence before the tournament compared to non-World Cup players.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study compared injury incidences between the 2022/23 season and the five preceding seasons in European club football.
  • The research involved 29 teams participating in the Union of European Football Associations Elite Club Injury Study and reported football exposures and injuries prospectively.
  • Injury incidence was compared with that of the five preceding seasons for the full season and for periods before and after the Federation Internationale de Football Association World Cup 2022.
  • World Cup players had similar injury incidences before and after the tournament (training incidence; rate ratio 0.95, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.38, match incidence; rate ratio 1.15, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.52).
  • World Cup players had a significantly lower match injury incidence than non-World Cup players before the tournament (rate ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.00).
  • The study concluded that no major changes in injury incidences were observed during the 2022/23 season compared to previous seasons.
  • The research was supported by the Union of European Football Associations.
  • The study included 466 injuries during the 2022/23 season (205 match injuries, 261 training injuries).
  • The study also found that training incidence was higher during the full season (rate ratio 1.10, 95% CI 1.00 to 1.21) and in the period before the World Cup (rate ratio 1.17, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.35).

Statistics:

  • 29 teams participated in the Union of European Football Associations Elite Club Injury Study.
  • 466 injuries occurred during the 2022/23 season.
  • 205 match injuries occurred during the 2022/23 season.
  • 261 training injuries occurred during the 2022/23 season.
  • World Cup players had a match injury incidence rate of 1.15 (95% CI 0.87 to 1.52) during the 2022/23 season.
  • Non-World Cup players had a match injury incidence rate of 1.32 (95% CI 1.03 to 1.69) during the 2022/23 season before the World Cup.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Research on Sport and Exercise Medicine Discussed by Researchers at Linkoping University (No major changes in injury incidence in European club football during the 2022/23 FIFA World Cup season: a subanalysis of the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study). Health & Medicine Week. September 19, 2025; p 5432.
  • BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine. No major changes in injury incidence in European club football during the 2022/23 FIFA World Cup season: a subanalysis of the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study. 2025, 11(3).
  • Linkoping University. Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences. Unit of Public Health.