La Liga’s New Season Faces Schedule Adjustments Due to World Cup Impact
La Liga returns with changes to its usual schedule. The opening matchday features six games, excluding the league’s top clubs, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Here’s how the first weekend unfolds:
Opening Matches Overview
The first game pits Deportivo Alaves against Getafe on Saturday at 7:30 PM local time. Later, Sevilla takes on Rayo Vallecano. Sunday sees Racing Santander, back in the top division, host Villarreal at El Sardinero. Espanyol faces Levante the same day. Deportivo La Coruna plays Elche on Monday, followed by Atletico Madrid meeting play-off winners Malaga on Wednesday.
“Racing Santander made an emotional return to La Liga.”
Delayed Fixtures and International Break
Four matches are postponed to late August due to an agreement between La Liga and the players’ union AFE. The agreement mandates a rest period for players reaching the World Cup semi-finals. Spain’s victory over Argentina on July 19 grants players like Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Marc Cucurella additional recovery time. Barcelona and Real are set to start from the second weekend onwards.
Barcelona and Real Madrid’s Season Start
Barcelona begins its title defense on Sunday, August 23, at Elche. This delay accommodates the eight Barca players in Spain’s winning squad. Real Madrid, under Jose Mourinho, faces Espanyol on Saturday, August 22. Matches initially planned for this month’s start have shifted, with Barcelona hosting Athletic Club on August 27 and Madrid playing Real Sociedad on August 26.
World Cup Players’ Return
World Cup participants recently resumed training. Barcelona’s stars, including Yamal, Pedri, and Dani Olmo, began training this Wednesday. Real Madrid’s Marc Cucurella, along with semi-finalists Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Aurelien Tchouameni, missed a friendly against Deportivo La Coruna.
Agreement and Fixture Rescheduling
La Liga insisted on starting the 2025-26 season on August 15, amidst opposition from AFE. After negotiations, a split opening gameweek was approved on June 9. The calendar passed at the Spanish football federation’s assembly on June 30. The agreement allows a 10-day game delay for clubs with semi-final participants, providing a more extended preseason and relief from summer heat.
Atletico Madrid’s Adjusted Schedule
Atletico Madrid, with many World Cup finalists, opted to keep their opening game against Malaga this Wednesday. The Metropolitano Stadium hosts The Weeknd’s concerts later in August. Whether top players like Llorente and Baena will play remains uncertain due to their recent training return.
Impact on Other Clubs
Real Betis, with Giovani Lo Celso in Argentina’s squad, postponed their Valencia match to August 25. Celta Vigo’s game against Osasuna moved to Thursday, August 27, due to unplayable pitch conditions.