Player welfare, injury worries & boredom - has extended break worked?

Erling Haaland is an injury doubt after he limped off in Norway's match against Portugal [Getty Images]The first international break of the 2026-27 season is almost over - and it has been a longer one than fans are used to.For the first time, the Premier League and Championship paused for three weeks rather than the usual two with players returning to domestic action from Friday.The idea was brought in by Fifa with player welfare in mind, but, with a growing list of injuries, has it really been