La Liga delays Real Madrid and Barcelona openers due to World Cup

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·15 July 2026

La Liga delays Real Madrid and Barcelona openers due to World Cup

La Liga announced on Tuesday it has adjusted the opening matchday because several players from leading clubs remain at the World Cup.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad will start a week later than the rest.

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Real, now led by José Mourinho, were due to host Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu and Barcelona to visit Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés. Those matches are moved to Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 August. Their campaigns will instead begin with second round fixtures, Espanyol Barcelona v Real Madrid on Saturday 22 August and Elche v Barcelona on Sunday 23.

In contrast, Atlético Madrid, who have nine players still in the World Cup semi-finals, will host Malaga as planned on Wednesday 19 August.

The first fixture of the round is scheduled for 15 August and the last for 27 August.

Source: L'Équipe