With the new format, the number of matches per team in the Champions League and Europa League has been increased from six to eight matches in the league stage. Fifa has also added an expanded club World Championship (32 teams) to the calendar for June-July next year.
For a top player, it can mean around 70-80 matches during a season with club and national team.
"Close to a strike"
We are close to a strike. If it continues like this, we have no other choice, said Manchester City star Rodri last week before the Spaniard injured his ligament in a knee and will be out for a longer period.
Malmö FF will enter the Europa League play at home against Glasgow Rangers on Thursday, but team captain Anders Christiansen does not see the problem of too many matches in Sweden.
We play 30 matches in Allsvenskan and maybe 50 matches this season. It's no big deal for us, but I can understand those who play in the World Championship, European Championship, Champions League, and national team. They play all the time. It's clearly a big problem.
The working environment for top players is important, emphasizes MFF coach Henrik Rydström. But he believes that part of the responsibility also lies with the big clubs, which are eager to participate in many tournaments.
They want more money. It's also an economic issue, but many times it's the players and coaches who are exposed to the risk of being burned out or injured, says Rydström.
A bigger problem for MFF – and Europa League colleague Elfsborg – is that the league continues in January with two matches. Additionally, a match is scheduled in mid-December.
It's not the best structure for Swedish football, says Anders Christiansen.
Short vacation
An argument for Swedish elite football to switch to an autumn-spring season, however, does not believe the Dane.
It's not just about Allsvenskan but also Superettan and Division 1. It's hard to get better weather, especially north of Stockholm. It's not fun to play football matches in minus 20 degrees, like we did in Östersund once in February in the cup, says the midfielder.
Rydström is positive about more matches for his MFF, but with matches in January, the space for rest for players and coaches shrinks.
We must solve how we can also have a vacation so that we get the recovery we need.
