As soccer fans all around the world gather around to watch the excitement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the players are showcasing their incredible athleticism, speed, and agility.
While the game is thrilling to watch, the sport of soccer places significant stress on the feet and ankles, making injuries to these areas very common.
Soccer requires constant running, sudden stops, quick changes in direction, jumping, pivoting, cutting in different directions, and kicking. These movements place tremendous stress on the bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments othe foot and ankle, leading to injuries.
Ankle sprains are the most common soccer injuries. They occur after landing awkwardly from a jump, stepping on another player’s foot, or changing direction suddenly. The ligaments of the ankle become either stretched or torn. Following a sprain, there is immediate pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty in walking. While many ankle sprains heal with conservative treatment, repetitive sprains can lead to chronic ankle instability if not properly managed.
Achilles tendon injuries such as tendonitis and partial or complete tendon ruptures can occur as well. The Achilles tendon is the largest tendon in the body and plays a vital role in running and jumping. Overuse of the tendon can lead to inflammation or tears within the tendon.
Stress fractures of the bones in the foot can occur secondary to the repetitive running associated with soccer. A stress fracture is a small crack that can occur in the bone from repetitive stress such as running and jumping. Players will often notice pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. Early diagnosis is important to prevent more serious fractures.
Turf toe occurs when the big toe is forcefully bent in an upward direction. It most commonly occurs on artificial turf surfaces. Since the World Cup matches are played on grass, the most common causes are a sudden stop and change in direction, pushing off forcefully while sprinting, landing awkwardly on the big toe from a jump, or improper or overly flexible footwear. This injury is frequently seen in soccer players due to the constant sprinting, cutting, and pivoting motions involved in the sport.
Plantar fasciitis is an overuse syndrome of the arch ligament, which can be caused by repeated running, jumping, and training. The pain is usually located on the bottom of the heel and arch of the foot. The pain is usually worse in the morning and after activity.
A Jones fracture is a well-known soccer injury that is a fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal bone. The fracture can occur secondary to a severe ankle sprain, leading to stress on the fifth metatarsal bone and causing it to fracture. These fractures can be challenging because they often heal slowly due to the limited blood supply to that area of the bone. Early diagnosis and immediate treatment are necessary to prevent prolonged healing or non-union at the fracture site.
A Lisfranc injury involves damage to the ligaments or joints of the midfoot. This injury can occur when the foot is planted and the player cuts in the opposite direction, leading to stress and strain at the midfoot level. This injury can also occur when a player lands on the foot of another player. A slide tackle can cause the foot to awkwardly twist into an abnormal position, causing the midfoot ligaments to stretch and resulting in a sprain of the midfoot joint.
Athletes who are suffering from persistent pain, swelling, and difficulty bearing weight on the foot should seek medical attention. When athletes play through pain, they can turn a minor problem into a major injury. A podiatrist can provide a comprehensive evaluation and develop a treatment plan that may include imaging studies, orthotics, physical therapy, bracing, injections, or surgical intervention when necessary. Early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent long-term complications and get players back on the field.
I am Dr. Joseph Cione, Board Certified Foot Surgeon with Advanced Footcare, proudly serving patients in Woodbury, Baldwin, and Manhasset.
