Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that the Premier League will not postpone the opening matches of the 2025-26 season, despite City’s involvement in the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. The decision has raised concerns over player welfare, given the already hectic global football schedule.
City, along with Chelsea, will represent England in the month-long Club World Cup, which takes place from June 15 to July 13, just weeks before the Premier League’s August start. Pep Guardiola voiced his frustration over the lack of scheduling flexibility, stating, “I believe the club asked the league to delay the start by one, two, or even three weeks, so we could have a break after the Club World Cup, but it was completely denied. Would the Premier League agree to this? No, absolutely not. Thank you so much.”
The Premier League has yet to respond to Pep Guardiola’s remarks, but the stance reflects the league’s traditional reluctance to adjust schedules for individual teams. The 2024-25 season began on August 16, just a month after the European Championship final, showing the tight turnaround that top players have faced in recent times.
Player Welfare Under Threat from Growing Calendar
The growing demands on elite players have become a central concern. With the expanded Club World Cup and the new format of the UEFA Champions League set to increase the number of matches, players are facing unprecedented levels of physical strain. Guardiola highlighted the difficulty of managing the workload under these circumstances.
City midfielder Rodri recently spoke out about the risks of player burnout. He suggested that 40-50 matches a season would be ideal for optimal performance, yet players could be forced to participate in up to 70-80 games if their clubs progress deep into all competitions. “We are at a point where we need to ask, where is the limit?” Rodri warned last month, indicating that player strike action could be a possibility if the calendar continues to expand unchecked.
FIFPRO and Unions Voice Concerns
The global players’ union, FIFPRO, has also voiced its disapproval. In recent comments, FIFPRO said some players are effectively getting less than one day off per week, a situation that they deem unsustainable for physical and mental health. European member unions have even begun legal proceedings against FIFA over the new Club World Cup structure, arguing that player welfare is being sacrificed for commercial interests.
The increasingly congested calendar is creating tension between players, clubs, and governing bodies. For managers like Pep Guardiola, it’s a delicate balancing act between keeping players fit, managing their workload, and maintaining competitiveness across domestic and international competitions.
No Relief in Sight
As it stands, there seems to be no relief for Manchester City and Chelsea. With the Premier League not allowing extra rest after the Club World Cup, Pep Guardiola’s team may struggle to keep up with the physical demands of one of the toughest leagues in the world.
This refusal from the Premier League is yet another indication of the growing rift between governing bodies and those at the heart of the game—managers and players. For Pep Guardiola, it’s a frustrating situation with significant implications for both performance and player health. As football’s global calendar continues to expand, these kinds of clashes may become more frequent, with players caught in the crossfire.
