Real Madrid Pre‑Season Begins as World Cup Players Return Staggered

Early Returns From the World Cup

Real Madrid kicked off pre‑season drills while several first‑team stars are still tied to their national commitments. The first two Spaniards to finish their tournament duties will head to Valdebebas on July 17, Arda Güler, and the following day his teammate Federico Valverde is set to report. These two will become the first World Cup participants to link up with José Mourinho’s squad.

New Signings and Injuries Return

The next batch of players arrives toward the end of the month. Antonio Rüdiger, who missed the tournament through injury, is scheduled for July 21, the same day fresh Inter Milan signing Denzel Dumfries is expected to join. The club hints that Dumfries could even be unveiled as a Real Madrid player on that date.

Attackers and Midfield Talent Follow

Later in the month, Brazilian prospect Endrick and Vinicius Jr. will boost the forward line when they arrive on July 27. Midfielder Bernardo Silva, another recent acquisition, is pencilled in for July 28, with a possible presentation that day. These arrivals keep the rotation healthy ahead of the new campaign.

B Race Partners and Goalkeeper Rejoin

By the end of July, Brahim Diaz is slated to return on July 31, while Thibaut Courtois, who exited the knockout stage with a quarter‑final knock, is expected back on August 1. Courtois’s injury is not considered serious, allowing a quick reintegration into training.

Semifinalists and Finalists Remain

Five Madrid players are still in the tournament’s latter stages: Marc Cucurella (Spain), Kylian Mbappé, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Ibrahima Konaté (France), and Jude Bellingham (England). Those whose teams are eliminated in the semi‑finals will not report until August 5. Should any of them reach the final on July 19, they would return on August 10 after the post‑tournament break.

Dumfries will join pre‑season in a week. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Impact on Mourinho’s Pre‑Season Plans

With many internationals still abroad, Mourinho will get started with a modest group, relying on academy graduates and the new signings to fill the gaps. As each player returns, the Portuguese boss can gradually build a fuller roster, though the final World Cup participants won’t be fully present until early August. This phased approach mirrors recent Madrid preparations, allowing Mourinho to ease the squad into his tactical system before competitive fixtures begin. The staggered return also gives time for injured players like Courtois to recover fully, ensuring the team is at peak condition for the season opener.