World Cup 2026: Which Premier League clubs have carried the biggest workload?

Every World Cup leaves its mark on Premier League squads, but this one feels particularly intense.

The tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico ends on Sunday, leaving just 33 days before the start of the new Premier League season.

While clubs in England's top flight have begun pre-season preparations, many are without key players whose minutes continue to add up in the United States.

Opta data shows some Premier League teams have carried a far heavier World Cup burden than others, with last year's top two - Arsenal and Manchester City - right at the top of the list.

Manchester City top the Premier League workload chart with 5,027 World Cup minutes played by their squad.

Rodri alone has played 537 minutes, centre-back Marc Guehi 483 and defender Nico O'Reilly 454. Elliot Anderson, who is moving from Nottingham Forest to the Etihad, has added a further 533 minutes for England.

Right behind them are Arsenal, whose players have clocked 4,285 minutes, the second highest total in the league.

William Saliba has played 450 minutes for France, Declan Rice 386 for England, Noni Madueke 288, Bukayo Saka 267, Mikel Merino 136 and Eberechi Eze 130.

Liverpool, Aston Villa and Manchester United follow, all above 2,500 minutes.

Brentford are among the teams represented least, with slightly more than 600 minutes.

Emiliano Martinez (600) and Jordan Pickford (570) lead all Premier League players for minutes, though goalkeepers naturally face different physical demands from outfield players.

The injury list has grown steadily as the tournament has gone on.

Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana suffered the most serious setback, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during Belgium's 4-1 win over the USA.

Manchester United's Manuel Ugarte also had his tournament ended early after picking up a knee problem during the group stage with Uruguay.

Jordan Henderson broke his arm while celebrating England's win over Mexico but the Brentford midfielder has remained with Tuchel's squad.

Andy Robertson was forced off against Brazil with a suspected right ankle injury and was seen with ice strapped around it.

Scotland's elimination meant he did not miss further matches, but the injury is still being assessed. "Personally, time will tell," he told the BBC, having made the move from Liverpool to Tottenham this summer.

Reece James, who featured for England against Norway, is still managing his own hamstring injury and has been eased through the tournament.

Seven of Arsenal's squad could have played up to 65 matches this season - depending on their availability - with 57 matches during the 2025-26 season and eight at the World Cup.

Manchester City and Chelsea have players who have competed in three consecutive summer tournaments.

The Euros and Copa America took place in 2024, followed up by last summer's Club World Cup and then this year's World Cup.

One of the players who took part in all three was City midfielder Rodri - who said in 2024 that players were "close" to striking because of the sheer number of games.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, and new Manchester City boss Enzo Maresca have previously warned the packed football schedule is not sustainable.

Maresca - while Chelsea manager - argued the industry does "not protect players".

Following an injury to Kai Havertz in February 2025, Arteta said: "We've had players who are injured who've played 130 games in the last two seasons, so it's an accident waiting to happen, when you continue to load, load and load."

Players who have competed at this summer's World Cup are entitled to at least three weeks off, according to Fifa regulations.

Players who feature in next Sunday's final will not return to their clubs until 10 August, at the earliest. Less than two weeks before the new Premier League season begins.

There will be five Premier League matchweeks before an extended international break on 21 September.

Click here to read article