La Liga is scheduled to kick off on the weekend of August 17, but both Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, with backing from the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE), have requested a postponement of the start to August 24—should either club reach the final rounds of the FIFA Club World Cup.

This appeal, still under negotiation, is awaiting a key meeting with La Liga, where all parties hope to reach a compromise that respects the interests of the players, clubs, and league organizers.

The 2025–26 La Liga season is currently set to begin in mid-August. However, the involvement of Madrid’s two biggest clubs in the expanded Club World Cup, held from mid-June to mid-July in the United States, poses scheduling issues. If either team advances deep into the tournament, they would have minimal time for preseason training.

The AFE has emphasized the need to uphold the collective bargaining agreement, which mandates a minimum of 21 consecutive days of rest for players between seasons. To honor this clause, the union has joined the players in requesting that the league start be pushed back by a week.

In response, La Liga president Javier Tebas has voiced opposition to altering the national competition calendar for the Club World Cup. He pointed out that other top leagues—such as the Premier League, Serie A, and Bundesliga—do not make such adjustments. Tebas has proposed rescheduling the matches for the involved clubs, though his suggested dates conflict with fixtures like the Copa del Rey, adding further complexity.

A final decision is expected following the league’s fixture draw at the end of June, as talks between La Liga, the AFE, and the clubs continue in pursuit of a workable solution.

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