La Liga president Javier Tebas has reiterated his message to Real Madrid over not delaying the La Liga campaign start in August.
Los Blancos are through to the FIFA Club World Cup quarterfinals, and a run all the way to the final would keep Xabi Alonso's team in action until July 13, and use up the majority of their preseason.
Atletico Madrid bowed out in the group stages in the USA, with Diego Simeone's charges only suffering a limited impact on their preseason, as the schedule continues to tighten up.
The expanded 32-team tournament has effectively extended the 2024/25 season by a month and the 2025/26 campaign leads directly into the 2026 World Cup next summer.
When does La Liga 2025/26 start?
The fixture list has been announced by La Liga - with Real Madrid opening up at home to Osasuna - and the season will start on the weekend of August 16-17.
The season will end on May 24, 2026 to allow for a three-week break for the start of the World Cup.
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Current AFE regulations require footballers to have 30 days of rest within a calendar year and a period of at least 21 days uninterrupted at the end of the season.
If Real Madrid reach the final, they will likely have just 32 days before their 2025/26 campaign kicks off with the potential for no warm up games and a restricted preseason training camp.
Tebas has previously stated he will not make an exception for Real Madrid - or Atletico - and that stance has been repeated as part of a directed criticism of FIFA and the Club World Cup organisers.
"I will do everything possible to ensure it doesn't happen again, " as per Mundo Deportivo.
"The Club World Cup has created a competitiveness problem with the money that goes to those clubs involved. The competition is damaging the calendar for all teams.
"They ask for more days to rest, but they can earn €140m from the Club World Cup - double Alaves' budget - and then ask for time to prepare."
Real Madrid news and related links
- Thibaut Courtois makes 'You’re wrong' Club World Cup claim after Real Madrid RO 16 win
- Trent Alexander-Arnold's 'already paid off' transfer fee as Real Madrid chase Club World Cup title
- Real Madrid breakout star highlights Club World Cup 'emotion and joy'