World Cup semifinals push back Barcelona and Real Madrid openers
La Liga delayed the first matches for Spain’s two biggest clubs because several of their players remain involved at the World Cup.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
La Liga has postponed Barcelona’s and Real Madrid’s opening matches of the new season because several players from both clubs are still involved in the FIFA World Cup semifinals, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. The change affects the start of Barcelona’s title defence and delays Jose Mourinho’s first league match back in charge of Madrid.
The Spanish top flight is due to begin on the weekend of August 15-16, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Barcelona had been scheduled to open at home against Athletic Bilbao, while Real Madrid were set to host Real Sociedad.
Under the revised schedule reported by Al Jazeera and AFP, Barcelona will instead begin away to Elche on August 23. Their home match against Athletic Bilbao has been moved to August 27.
Real Madrid’s match against Real Sociedad has been shifted to August 26, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Madrid will now begin their league campaign away to Espanyol on August 22, marking Mourinho’s first La Liga game of his second spell as the club’s manager.
World Cup semifinalists affect club schedules
The World Cup semifinals are being played this week, with France facing Spain on Tuesday and England meeting Argentina on Wednesday, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The fixtures involve prominent players from both Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Barcelona’s semifinal representatives include Spain forward Lamine Yamal, Spain midfielder Dani Olmo and England’s Anthony Gordon, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Real Madrid’s France contingent includes Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, while Jude Bellingham has played a central role for England, according to the report.
The timing left La Liga to adjust early-season fixtures for the two clubs most affected by the World Cup’s final stages. Al Jazeera and AFP reported that the league made the decision on Tuesday.
The postponements create an uneven opening week for the division. Barcelona and Real Madrid will not play on the first weekend, while other clubs remain on their original schedules.
Atletico’s opener unchanged
Atletico Madrid will still play Malaga on August 19 as planned, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. That is despite Argentina players Julian Alvarez and Nahuel Molina being part of Atletico’s squad.
The report said both Alvarez and Molina will be required to take part in Atletico’s scheduled opener. Argentina face England in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday.
Barcelona enter the season as defending La Liga champions, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Real Madrid begin a new league campaign under Mourinho, who was named manager for a second spell at the club before the season.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.