The English league considers starting the season in July: how will this affect the players.

Changes are planned in the EFL season schedule 2026/27

According to The Sun: According to media reports, the EFL is considering significant changes to the 2026/27 season calendar.

These changes may include starting the season as early as JULY, which will shorten players' vacation time.

Reuters

The current season started on August 8 with a 1-1 draw between Birmingham City and Ipswich Town.

According to the Daily Mail, EFL management is considering the possibility of holding League Cup matches a week earlier.

If they take place, matches on Friday could happen on July 31, 2026.

This is just one of the options being considered due to the tight schedule situation.

As reported, the decision will be made by the EFL council after consultations with the clubs.

Problems in the next season

The next season may face issues due to a combined three-week international break.

This will lead to a higher number of League Cup matches before English teams' European campaigns begin.

Not all clubs will support these changes, as it will limit their ability to participate in friendly matches that bring in additional revenue.

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The Premier League is expected to start the 2026/27 season on August 21.

This means that many top-flight teams will still be in preseason tours, giving lower league teams the opportunity to play against them.

This is not the first time the EFL will start the season in July; the winter World Cup in Qatar in 2022 also forced them to start earlier.

However, this will mean that the season may start less than two weeks after the World Cup final on July 19.

The League Cup is an important source of revenue for EFL clubs, but its significance is questioned due to other priorities of larger clubs.

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The recent weekend was rich in dramatic moments in the EFL. For example, the match between Southampton and Portsmouth ended with a heated handshake between managers Will Still and John Mousinho.

Sheffield United club FIRES Ruben Selles after he lost all six matches in charge.

The club is now considering the possibility of bringing Chris Wilder back to save the team from relegation.

The West Brom vs Derby match was delayed for three minutes due to a dead pigeon falling onto the pitch.

Changes in the EFL season 2026/27 have the potential to impact the structure and rhythm of the game not only in the lower leagues but also in the top Premier League. Considering this matter highlights the importance of maintaining a balance between international player commitments and the needs of clubs competing in the championships. Soon it will become clear what decisions the EFL council will make and how this will affect the entire football system in the country.