Real Madrid request to postpone opening 2025-26 La Liga match denied – Javier Tebas - The Athletic

La Liga president Javier Tebas confirmed that Real Madrid's request to postpone their opening match of the 2025-26 season against Osasuna, scheduled for August 19, has been denied. Madrid sought the delay due to their participation in the latter stages of the Club World Cup, which ended for them with a semi-final defeat to PSG on July 10, leaving 40 days before the proposed league opener.

An agreement with the Spanish players' association (AFE) guarantees players three weeks of continuous holiday annually, meaning Madrid would have had only 18 days for pre-season preparation. Tebas stated that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) made the decision not to move the game, and La Liga agreed. He argued Madrid would have 20 rest days instead of 21, noting other leagues like the Premier League and Ligue 1 weren't changing fixtures for Chelsea or PSG, and deemed it a matter of "one day".

Sources revealed that in May, Madrid and Atletico Madrid, along with their captains and in agreement with La Liga, RFEF, and AFE, secured a provision to postpone their first league fixtures if they reached the Club World Cup quarter-finals. The AFE cited health reasons and the need for at least three weeks of pre-season. Madrid, who played 68 games in 2024-25, have yet to schedule any pre-season matches.

Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois publicly supported postponing the Osasuna match for player health reasons and criticized Tebas's stated desire to "eliminate" the Club World Cup. Courtois called Tebas's critical comments unusual compared to other league presidents and emphasized the competition's place on the FIFA calendar, stating "the players' health is on the line".

The article also noted that Pep Guardiola said in October the Premier League denied similar postponement requests for Manchester City and Chelsea. City were knocked out on July 1, while Chelsea reached the final. Both Chelsea and City have Premier League openers scheduled for August 17 and 16 respectively.