Why Haaland, Kane heroics at World Cup could be bad news for football fans in China
Players are entitled to a mandatory minimum off-season rest period or holiday of at least 21 consecutive days following major Fifa tournaments
Norway’s unprecedented run at the Fifa World Cup could be bad news for fans in Hong Kong at next month’s Football Festival as star striker Erling Haaland now looks set to miss the pre-season trip with Manchester City.
Haaland’s brace on Sunday guided Norway to their first World Cup quarter-finals, and with the knockout match against England scheduled for Saturday local time, chances are the towering striker, who has seven goals to his name in the tournament, will not travel to Hong Kong.
Players are entitled to a mandatory minimum off-season rest period or holiday of at least 21 consecutive days following any major Fifa tournaments, meaning even if Norway lose to England, Haaland’s three-week break would end on August 2, one day after Manchester City’s match against Inter Milan at Kai Tak Stadium.
There could, however, be a glimmer of hope for football fans. While the 21-day rule is mandated globally, exact return dates are usually managed on an individual basis by clubs, taking regional collective agreements and individual match calendars into account.
Depending on the result at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami between Norway and England, the list of missing players could grow further.
Manchester City, who are already without midfield maestro Rodri for the start of the new season due to injury, have four other England internationals, including centre-back Marc Guehi, at the World Cup.