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Madrid’s appeal to delay their 2025–26 LaLiga opener against Osasuna on August 19 was rejected by the RFEF. They cited their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup as the reason.
Xabi Alonso (AFP)
Real Madrid will kick off their 2025–26 LaLiga campaign with a home fixture against CA Osasuna on August 19, after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) rejected the club’s appeal to delay the match.
According to multiple Spanish media reports on Thursday, Madrid had requested additional time to rest and prepare following their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The appeal stemmed from Real Madrid’s appearance in the expanded Club World Cup, held in the United States earlier this summer. The Spanish giants reached the semi-finals but were eliminated by French champions Paris Saint-Germain on July 9.
Citing the demanding schedule and the need for a proper pre-season, Madrid asked the RFEF to postpone their LaLiga opener. However, the federation dismissed the request, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the league calendar.
RFEF Judge Cites Competitive Fairness
According to a report from Europa Press, a judge appointed by the RFEF ruled that only an extraordinary situation, or force majeure, could justify amending the official league schedule. Real Madrid’s situation, the judge concluded, did not meet that threshold.
“In order to preserve the integrity of the competition, only a case of force majeure would warrant a change to the official calendar,” the ruling stated.
The judge also addressed Real Madrid’s claim that their opponents, Osasuna, had agreed to the proposed rescheduling.
“Finally, it should be added that although the requesting club claims to have the agreement of the opposing party, CA Osasuna, there is no record of this entity having responded to the request made by this judge,” the statement continued, as quoted by Europa Press.
The ruling means Real Madrid will have just over a month between their Club World Cup exit and their domestic league opener. The short turnaround poses a challenge for manager Xabi Alonso, who will need to manage player fatigue and fitness levels ahead of a demanding campaign.
