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Anthropometry of the Players at the World Cup - Comparing 2002, 2006 and 2018
Although not the most important attribute for success in football, the body size of players can still play significant a part in their performance. We have collected and analyzed the World Cup player data provided by FIFA for the years 2002, 2006 and 2018, which included the height, weight, position played and age of all squads of each nation represented. The players' BMI was calculated from the provided height and weight data.
Positional Differences
There are clear differences in the body size of players depending on the position played on the field. The World Cup goalkeepers stand out - they tend to be older, taller and heavier than the other players. The youngest are the forwards, the shortest the midfielders, and the leanest based on BMI are the midfielders.
From 2002 to 2018, the average height and weight of players at the World Cup has increased, while BMI has remained steady.
Age of FIFA World Cup players
| AGE (years) |
2002 |
2006 |
2018 |
| OVERALL AVERAGE (all positions) |
27.04 |
26.86 |
27.9 |
| Goalkeeper |
29.05 |
28.64 |
29.7 |
| Defender |
27.14 |
27.03 |
28.1 |
| Midfielder |
26.86 |
26.28 |
27.6 |
| Forward |
26.06 |
26.39 |
27.0 |
Height of FIFA World Cup players
| Height (cm) |
2002 |
2006 |
2018 |
| OVERALL AVERAGE (all positions) |
180.77 |
181.4 |
182.4 |
| Goalkeeper |
186.42 |
187.75 |
188.8 |
| Defender |
181.72 |
182 |
183.2 |
| Midfielder |
178.25 |
178.74 |
179.7 |
| Forward |
180.01 |
180.66 |
181.4 |
Weight of FIFA World Cup players
| Weight (kg) |
2002 |
2006 |
2018 |
| OVERALL AVERAGE (all positions) |
75.88 |
76.36 |
77.2 |
| Goalkeeper |
81.73 |
83.47 |
83.4 |
| Defender |
76.96 |
76.7 |
78.0 |
| Midfielder |
73.12 |
73.85 |
74.0 |
| Forward |
75.19 |
75.33 |
76.8 |
BMI of FIFA World Cup players
| BMI |
2002 |
2006 |
2018 |
| OVERALL AVERAGE (all positions) |
23.2 |
23.18 |
23.2 |
| Goalkeeper |
23.51 |
23.67 |
23.4 |
| Defender |
23.2 |
23.14 |
23.2 |
| Midfielder |
23.01 |
23.11 |
22.9 |
| Forward |
23.18 |
23.06 |
23.3 |
Sources
- The average data from 2002 and 2006 was published in Wong et al. (2008)
- The 2018 World Cup player data was was supplied by FIFA in 2018. The original file is no longer available on their site, but we have a copy here.
References
- Wong, P.L., Mujika, I., Castagna, C., Chamari, K., Lau, W.C., & Wisløff, U. (2008). Characteristics of world cup soccer players. Soccer Journal, 53(1), 57-62.
- Đurašković, R., Jolsimović, A. i Joksimović S. (2004). Weight-Height Parameters of the 2002 World Football Championship Participants. FACTA UNIVERSITATIS Series Physical Education and Sport Vol. 2, No 1, 2004, pp.13-24.
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