Real Madrid have officially requested the postponement of their opening fixture of the 2025/26 La Liga season against Osasuna, originally scheduled for Tuesday, August 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The request stems from the club’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup, which has significantly shortened the players’ rest period ahead of the new campaign.
In a letter addressed to La Liga president Javier Tebas, Real Madrid proposed rescheduling the match to October 29, a date that coincides with the first round of the Copa del Rey, a stage in which neither Madrid nor Osasuna will be competing.
According to Carrusel Deportivo, the proposal has the full backing of Osasuna and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), both of whom have agreed to the new date.
The Spanish Footballers’ Association (AFE) has also expressed its support for Madrid’s request, citing the need for a minimum six-week period combining rest and preseason for players who participated in the Club World Cup.
Asking Madrid players to return to domestic action by August 19 would breach that recommendation and raise concerns about player welfare and the long-term effects of calendar congestion.
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Under new head coach Xabi Alonso, Madrid have endured a demanding summer, which included a deep run in the Club World Cup, highlighted by a semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain. With the possibility of reaching the final, Madrid argue that the tight turnaround between competitions would place undue strain on the squad.
Despite the strong case put forward and the broad support from all involved parties, the final decision rests with La Liga president Javier Tebas.
Known for his firm stance on fixture integrity and broadcast commitments, Tebas has yet to publicly respond to the request. However, the combined pressure from Real Madrid, Osasuna, the RFEF, and the AFE may force the league to seriously consider the appeal.
As it stands, the match remains on the official schedule for August 19, but developments are expected in the coming days.