World Cup quarter-final triggers LaLiga delays, Real Madrid first affected | OneFootball

France and Morocco will meet in a World Cup quarter-final, a pairing that directly affects the start of LaLiga. Real Madrid are the first club in line to be impacted.

LaLiga is due to start across 14-16 August, but not all fixtures will be staged. According to AS, Javier Tebas said teams with at least one World Cup semi-finalist will have their opener postponed, and the AFE agreement will be applied, granting three weeks of rest after a player's final World Cup match plus three weeks of preparation.

Madrid are already certain to meet that threshold, with Brahim for Morocco or Mbappé, Tchouameni or Konaté for France ensuring a semi-finalist in their squad. The Real Madrid v Real Sociedad opener, set for 14-16 August, is expected to be pushed to late August.

Barcelona v Athletic, Atlético v Málaga, and Celta v Osasuna are among the fixtures most likely to be delayed, though they may not be the only ones.

LaLiga is awaiting confirmation of the semi-final line-up before releasing matchday one kick-off times, and new dates and times for postponed ties are expected to be set then.

The AFE has been unhappy with the schedule, arguing the league should be delayed by one week so every club can play the opening round together, which is already split over two dates.

Source: AS