Pep Guardiola: Premier League will not delay Man City games after Club World Cup

City fear burnout among their squad owing to their heavy schedule.

NO DELAY: Pep Guardiola fears the potential effects of next summer’s Club World Cup on his players. Picture:  Nick Potts/PA

Manchester City could be heading for another clash with the Premier League – this time over the start date for next season.

City manager Pep Guardiola says the league will not accept a request from the club to postpone their first matches of the 2025-26 campaign because of their involvement in next summer’s Club World Cup.