The break for the World Cup is underway across world football as only a few top flight divisions continue to play when the world pauses and turns its eyes to Qatar.
The top five leagues across Europe have now halted until the World Cup returns, with the Championship in England the most notable league that is set to return during the World Cup, as that starts up again on December 10 with every other well-known league coming back afterwards.
Only two clubs in Europe's top five leagues are still unbeaten 💪 pic.twitter.com/MICX9vMDlK— GOAL (@goal) October 26, 2022
Only two clubs in Europe's top five leagues are still unbeaten 💪 pic.twitter.com/MICX9vMDlK
We look at when the top leagues across Europe resume.
In typical Premier League style, there has been absolutely zero consideration for players and fans alike.
If you’re one of those players who played for the likes of Wolves, Arsenal, Fulham, Manchester United, Brighton or Aston Villa last Sunday, there is a chance you’ll be playing at the World Cup in Qatar just eight days after action stopped in the Premier League.
Worse yet, the World Cup final is set to be played on December 18, meaning just another eight days' rest between that day and the return of the Premier League on December 26.
It’s an insanely quick turnaround, but the main reason for a return at this stage in England is because of how it has been a tradition to play games on Boxing Day since before the Premier League was established in 1992.
Similarly to the Premier League, there’s barely any time to breathe if you get to the World Cup final and ply your trade in Ligue 1. The French top flight will resume two days on from the Premier League on December 28, meaning just 10 days of rest after the World Cup final.
Italian football tends to take care of its own in these cases, and this remains true here as Serie A is set to return On January 4. This means players who make it to the final will get over three weeks of rest, be able to enjoy Christmas and the new year celebrations.
In terms of taking care of players’ welfare, no nation in Europe does it better than Germany. The Bundesliga has merely used this time to rejig their annual winter break where football normally stops for a few weeks anyway.
As a result, the Bundesliga will carry on from January 20, which means a full month break for those who make it to the World Cup final.
There’s a bit more time off for those playing in La Liga, meaning a nice, merry Christmas. The Spanish top flight will resume on December 31, which does, however, mean teams will be playing on New Year’s Eve.