Overview

• Manchester City and Chelsea will compete in the expanded Club World Cup in the U.S. next summer, ending their season in mid-July.
• Pep Guardiola confirmed the Premier League refused to postpone City's first two games of the 2025-26 season for additional recovery time.
• The decision raises concerns over player burnout, with some players already voicing potential strike actions due to the congested calendar.
• FIFA mandates that clubs bring their strongest squads to the Club World Cup, adding pressure on teams to manage player fitness effectively.
• Kevin De Bruyne, sidelined with injury, has requested to skip Belgium's upcoming international matches, focusing on his recovery.