The Premier League has declined Manchester City’s request to postpone their first two matches of the 2025-26 season, following their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the league’s decision on Friday.
Both Manchester City and Chelsea have secured their spots in the expanded, month-long Club World Cup, which will kick off on June 15. The Premier League season is scheduled to start in August, creating a tight turnaround for the players after the international tournament.
The growing congestion in the football calendar has raised concerns among players and managers alike. According to a report from the global players’ union FIFPRO, many players find they have only 12 percent of the year for rest.
While the Premier League did not provide immediate comment on the matter, City midfielder Rodri expressed earlier this month that players might consider strike action due to the excessive number of games. Unfortunately, a knee ligament injury has sidelined Rodri for the season.
In response to the Premier League’s decision, Guardiola stated, “I don’t know if we will play more games than the treble year (2022-23)… maybe we’ll play fewer games. The Premier League has not allowed us to postpone the first two games for our recovery. Thank you so much. They don’t postpone these games, so that will be the moment of, oh, what do we have to do?”
Guardiola also emphasized that the upcoming Club World Cup will further complicate clubs’ efforts to manage player workloads effectively, putting additional strain on their squads. As the football landscape continues to evolve, the need for a balanced schedule remains a pressing issue for all stakeholders involved.
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