Club World Cup ‘Harms La Liga’: Tebas Warns of Madrid Fixture Chaos

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Jun 10, 2025 - 08:00
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Club World Cup ‘Harms La Liga’: Tebas Warns of Madrid Fixture Chaos originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in days, with Inter Miami facing Al Ahly in the opener on Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium. The event kicks off a month-long tournament with 32 clubs from around the world.

This newly formatted competition has had a mixed reaction from soccer fans around the world. 

Many fans dreamed of watching the worlds top clubs face off around the world have the chance to play each other, but others find it unnecessary to bring this competition to life.

Formatted like the World Cup for national teams, the Club World Cup will provide significant prize money for the participating teams, and more will be secured depending on each team's performance. 

Only two La Liga will compete in the tournament, which are the Madrid clubs Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid. 

There are concerns in Spain due to the scheduling of the competition, as La Liga will soon unveil the league's schedule for next season, which starts in August. The Club World Cup will start on June 14 and end on July 13. 

La Liga President JavierTebas spoke to COPE and was asked his opinion of the Madrid clubs participating in the competition.

Club World Cup Criticized by Tebas

Tebas doesn't understand the point of having the competition other than being a financial benefit for clubs participating in it. The La Liga president mentions how it could negatively impact the league itself.

Javier Tebas: "The Club World Cup is a complete nonsense. This model harms the ecosystem of LaLiga. And then there is the other issue, when will Real Madrid and Atlético be able to start the league matches."

With Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid being top clubs, it is possible for them to reach the latest rounds of the Club World Cup. The quarterfinals of the competition will be played on July 4 and 5. 

Anything past that date seems too late in preparation for the upcoming soccer season, which typically starts in mid-August. Along with that, rest time for players will be significantly reduced.

Tebas is remains firmly opposed to the Club World Cup and does not want to change calendar dates for the new season. He will decide whether Real Madrid and/or Atletico Madrid will rest in the first matchweek.

Javier Tebas: "We have to see and study it. It cannot be that we are constantly changing our calendars for other competitions, FIFA expects all leagues to adapt without consulting us. A Madrid derby in the first matchday is impossible."

Three days ago, La Liga announced that the 2025-26 season league will start on the weekend of 17th August. The performance of the Madrid teams could result in game delays.

What if Real Madrid and/or Atletico reach the quarterfinals of the CWC?

COPE reports that the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE) has spoken with Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal and Atletico Madrid's Koke on a potential delay in the upcoming La Liga season.

If Real Madrid and/or Atlético Madrid reach the quarterfinals of the Club World Cup, they may start their La Liga season a week after the scheduled start of the season. 

It could be as late as August 24 that either or both clubs could play their first league game of the new season if they become the last eight teams of the Club World Cup this summer.

Who will Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid play in the CWC?

Real Madrid is in Group H with Al Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg. They will make their debut on June 18 when they take on Al Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium. 

Atletico Madrid is in Group B along with Botafogo, Seattle Sounders, and PSG. They will make their debut on Sunday, June 15, against the newly crowned European Champions, PSG.

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Related: Is FIFA’s Club World Cup the Biggest Flop in Soccer History?

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.

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