12/06/2026
The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off yesterday, bringing together football fans from across the globe ⚽
Research has shown that former professional footballers are around 3.5 times more likely to develop dementia than the wider population, raising concerns about the long-term impact of repeated head injuries in the sport.
Studies have linked repeated heading of the ball to brain injury and increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases later in life.
In response to this evidence, football associations across the UK and Europe have introduced measures to reduce heading in training sessions and limit its use among children, in efforts to make the game safer for future generations.