Soccer injuries explained: Causes, trends, and how science is helping prevent them

Soccer is faster and more physically demanding than ever—and injuries are one of the biggest challenges facing the modern game.

Muscle strains, ligament damage and long-term rehabilitation can affect team performance, player welfare and club finances.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway, Professor Ian Varley—an expert in soccer injury surveillance at Nottingham Trent University—explains why injuries happen, which are most common and how science is reducing the risk. ...