Real Madrid shut down! La Liga denies request to move opening La Liga game of season even if Xabi Alonso's men make Club World Cup final - but Spanish giants may still get their wish

According to Cadena SER andAS, Real Madrid's request to postpone the opening game of the 2025-26 season against Osasuna has been turned down by La Liga, with the body chaired by league president Javier Tebas firmly of the believe that postponing the games in light of the Club World Cup is not justified.

Per the report, Tebas has denied the existence of an agreement to postpone the opening matchday of the 2025–26 season, despite a consensus reportedly reached between La Liga, the Association of Spanish Footballers (AFE), and clubs. The deal — which Real Madrid insists was settled — stated that if either of the two Madrid-based outfits reached the final phase of the Club World Cup, their first league fixtures would be postponed to allow for the agreed three-week off-season layoff. AFE claims this was settled in a May 16 email and later confirmed on a joint call, following talks involving club representatives Dani Carvajal and Koke. La Liga, however, now insists no binding agreement exists, claiming Tebas never publicly confirmed it and that the criteria for postponement aren't met. The final decision rests in the hands of the Competition Committee's Sole Judge, who reports directly to the Spanish football association (RFEF). While there is already an agreement to postpone between Real Madrid and Osasuna, La Liga's stance on the matter lies on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Tebas has been blunt in voicing his criticism against the revamped Club World Cup, stating that he would go to any lengths possible to ensure the competition doesn't continue in the future. Ahead of the tournament in June, Tebas already hinted that La Liga will not make adjustments in accordance to Real or Atletico's progress in the CWC.

“There is already controversy over when Real Madrid and Atletico will start La Liga, which disrupts our usual football schedule and hurts us in the medium term," Tebas said.

“The decision on whether Real Madrid and Atletico will start La Liga later in order to rest is not mine alone. It will be made in due course when we see where they stand. But it can’t be that we keep having to constantly change our schedule for other competitions that we are not in favour of."

Los Blancos will be aiming to overcome the high-flying PSG unit in the Club World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. If they progress to the final, which takes place on July 13, they will face Chelsea.