The Premier League has rejected a request from Manchester City to delay the start to their 2025-26 campaign to allow for more recovery time after the Club World Cup.
As 2022-23 Champions League winners, City are one of two English clubs – alongside Chelsea – to have secured a spot at FIFA s first 32-team Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States next year.
The tournament s expanded format has proven extremely controversial, provoking widespread criticism for denying players rest time during the off-season.
Players union Fifpro has started legal proceedings against FIFA over the scheduling of the tournament, claiming the fixture schedule has become unworkable .
The Club World Cup is set to run from June 15 to July 13, with players involve…