Real Madrid Seek October Start After Club World Cup

Real Madrid have formally asked La Liga to postpone their 2024-25 opening fixture against Osasuna until 29 October, arguing that an extended run at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States leaves their squad without adequate rest or preseason preparation time.

Real Madrid’s Case for Postponement

The European champions will contest up to seven high-intensity matches at the expanded Club World Cup, which runs from mid-June to mid-July. Club officials calculate that their players will have logged nearly 70 competitive appearances by the time the tournament ends. They insist that beginning domestic competition in mid-August, as originally scheduled, risks injuries and undermines on-field quality. By requesting a 29 October kickoff, the club believes it can offer its stars a mandatory six-week holiday followed by a comparable preseason camp.

Calendar Congestion and Player Welfare

Real Madrid medical staff point to a 2023 UEFA study that links match overload with a 27 percent spike in soft-tissue injuries. Senior players such as Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde have privately voiced concerns to the dressing-room hierarchy. Head coach Carlo Ancelotti has already mapped out a staggered fitness plan that would be impossible to implement under the original Liga timetable. The club’s stance dovetails with FifPro’s long-running campaign for better rest windows after summer tournaments.

Osasuna, RFEF and La Liga’s Role

Osasuna immediately signalled their approval, viewing a delayed clash at the Santiago Bernabéu as an opportunity to sell more away tickets to travelling supporters on a long weekend. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has also green-lit the proposal, but final authority rests with La Liga president Javier Tebas. Tebas has traditionally resisted special treatment for elite sides; however, the league can invoke Article 240 of its competition code, which allows date changes “for exceptional sporting circumstances.”

What a 29 October Fixture Means for the Schedule

Should the postponement be ratified, Osasuna’s trip to Madrid would fall between Jornada 11 and Jornada 12, compressing Los Blancos’ autumn calendar. La Liga would almost certainly move a midweek slot in early December to relieve congestion. Spain’s Supercopa, scheduled for January in Riyadh, would remain untouched, but Copa del Rey rounds could slide by 48 hours to accommodate television partners. Broadcasters Mediapro and Dazn are reportedly open to the reshuffle, betting that a marquee October match will draw record viewership.

Broader Impact on Spanish Football

The request has revived debate around fixture equity. Mid-table clubs often complain that Real Madrid and Barcelona receive preferential scheduling. Conversely, league executives recognise that Spain’s coefficient, sponsorship revenue and global fan base depend heavily on the big two’s international success. Analysts at Deloitte estimate that a deep Club World Cup run could add €15 million in prize money to La Liga’s collective income sharing pool, indirectly benefiting smaller sides.

What Comes Next?

La Liga’s Competition Committee will meet in early May. If two-thirds of its members vote in favour, the calendar change becomes official within 48 hours. Failure to secure approval would leave Real Madrid with three options: start the season with a rotated squad, move the match to a neutral venue at a later date, or lodge an appeal with Spain’s High Sports Council (CSD). Sources close to Valdebebas suggest the club is confident of a positive outcome, citing recent precedents where Sevilla and Villarreal were granted delays after Europa League triumphs.

Fan and Media Reaction

Supporters are split. Season-ticket holders welcome the possibility of an autumn heavyweight clash, but local hospitality businesses fear losing lucrative summer matchday income. Spanish media outlet AS argues that Liga critics exaggerate the disruption, highlighting that the Premier League routinely reschedules fixtures for clubs involved in the FIFA Club World Cup or UEFA Super Cup. Meanwhile, commentators on Radio Marca question whether the precedent could open the floodgates for additional postponements linked to preseason marketing tours.

Opinion: A Necessary Pause

Modern football’s calendar verges on the absurd, and the upcoming Club World Cup only intensifies the strain. Granting Real Madrid an extra six weeks is not a privilege; it is a pragmatic response to an overcrowded ecosystem the sport created for itself. Player welfare must trump commercial considerations, and La Liga has a chance to lead by example.