La Liga president Javier Tebas reveals expected changes to the opening of the Spanish league due to the 2026 World Cup
Javier Tebas, President of the Spanish League, revealed the possibility of making broad adjustments to the schedule of the first round of the 2026-2027 season, which is scheduled to be held between August 14 and 16, due to the consequences of the ongoing World Cup. Tebas explained that four matches have already been postponed as a result of players from eight different clubs reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, along with the Spanish and French national teams.
The list of matches that were decided to be postponed includes prominent matches between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao, and Real Madrid against Real Sociedad, in addition to the matches of Atletico Madrid with Malaga and Celta Vigo against Osasuna. This step comes to ensure that the players participating in the final rounds of the World Championship have an adequate rest period before returning to local competitions, as the organizational rules depend on postponing the club match if at least one player from its ranks reaches the semi-finals with his country’s national team.
In a related context, the number of postponed matches may increase to include a fifth match that will be determined based on the result of the quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland, as the match between Seville and Rayo Vallecano may be postponed if Switzerland qualifies, or the match between Valencia and Real Betis if Argentina advances to the semi-finals. Javier Tebas said: “We have conducted a study and it is very easy to divide the first round into six matches to be played around August 14, and three or four other matches on a mid-week Wednesday during the same month, thus ensuring that all players have a 21-day holiday.”
It is expected that these postponed matches will be held in the period between the second and third rounds of the Spanish League, in an attempt by the League to avoid early match pressure and coordinate dates in a manner consistent with international obligations. Through this proposed division of the opening round, the organizers seek to maintain the physical balance of the players of the affected clubs, which include prominent international names who participated in the advanced stages of the World Cup.
