The Club World Cup, the finale of the 2024/25 soccer season, has only just finished but already thoughts are turning to the next campaign.

Across Europe, teams have already began their preseason preparations for 2025/26 with signings arriving at their new clubs and preseason sessions underway. But for the teams that went far in the Club World Cup, this is the start of an admittedly-short offseason.

How will the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain manage to get their teams ready for the new season, one that culminates with the World Cup next June? It’s a question that many are asking, including Bayern Munich and Germany legend Philipe Lahm.

Lahm won eight Bundesliga titles, one Champions League and a World Cup over the course of his stellar career and he’s only too aware of the toll that a busy calendar places on players and their teams.

Writing in The Athletic, Lahm warned: “Almost all of the elite clubs around Europe are back in pre-season training, yet players who were involved in the latter rounds of the Club World Cup are now, quite rightly, heading off for weeks of holiday. When the season starts, those teams will all be at a disadvantage, perhaps for months.”

Aside from the simple scheduling issues, the draining temperatures at this summer’s Club World Cup will have been particularly difficult for players. FIFA made attempts to alleviate the conditions - with hydration breaks and larger squads - but the decision to play some games at 3pm in the height of summer has been roundly criticized. Changes will need to be made ahead of next year’s World Cup to avoid a repeat.

Lahm explained: “I’ve played in heat before and it’s very uncomfortable — physically and mentally. People should listen to how the players describe their experiences."

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.