Reigning champions Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid have all been granted additional recovery time following Spain’s triumphant 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The wait is only a week, but it means the opening round will unfold without La Liga’s traditional ‘Big Three’ – leaving the spotlight firmly on the rest of the division.
Among those looking to make an early statement are Villarreal, who enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 campaign and will be eager to build on that momentum. Their opening assignment is a trip to newly promoted Racing Santander, who return to the top flight after 14 years away. For Racing, simply being back among Spain’s elite is a major achievement; taking points from Villarreal would make the occasion even more memorable.
