Paris Saint-Germain officially returns to the PSG Campus on July 27. Two months after wrapping up an exceptional season, the European champions kick off their 2026-2027 preparations with a heavily reshuffled squad. Most of the internationals who took part in the World Cup are still on holiday and will rejoin the group gradually over the coming weeks.
For Luis Enrique, this return to training looks more like a vast construction site than a conventional collective pre-season. The first few days will be devoted to physical work, the integration of new signings, and the assessment of several youngsters from the academy.
A squad deprived of its World Cup players
The Spanish coach will have to manage without a large part of his usual core. Players who participated in the later rounds of the World Cup will be entitled to several weeks of mandatory rest before returning to training. This situation applies in particular to several key figures in the Parisian dressing room, who will probably not be available for the first official fixtures.
On the other hand, Luis Enrique will be able to rely from the outset on a nucleus including Lucas Chevalier, Matvey Safonov, Illia Zabarnyi, Lucas Beraldo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu, to whom several academy youngsters called up for the summer pre-season will be added.
Friendly matches in the service of building momentum
The first objective for PSG will not be results, but collective physical progression. Against Mallorca on August 5, Luis Enrique is expected to field a starting eleven largely made up of players who have been present since the resumption. The new signings should accumulate their first minutes in their new colours, while the youngsters will have a rare opportunity to impress.
Three days later, against Manchester United, several internationals eliminated earlier in the World Cup could make their return. They should nevertheless benefit from limited playing time in order to avoid any premature physical overload.
Aston Villa and Lens: the real challenge begins on August 12
Official competition will come knocking on August 12 with the UEFA Super Cup against Aston Villa. On paper, Paris will start as favourites thanks to their status as European champions. But the context is a particular one: several key players risk having returned to training only a few days beforehand. Luis Enrique will have to find the right balance between immediate competitiveness and protecting his internationals.
Four days later, the Parisians will follow up with the Trophée des Champions against Lens, before launching their Ligue 1 season. In short, PSG will contest two official trophies at a time when their squad will probably not yet be at full strength.
Physical management, the staff's absolute priority
Unlike in previous seasons, the Parisian staff's priority appears to be clearly established: avoiding injuries. After an exceptional season concluded by an exhausting World Cup campaign for many players, Luis Enrique is expected to favour a progressive build-up in workload. The results of the friendly matches will take a back seat to the recovery of players' bodies, the integration of new signings, and getting the internationals back into shape.
This strategy could prevent PSG from immediately showing their best face. But it could also allow them to approach the major autumn fixtures with a fresher and better-prepared squad.
📅 PSG's schedule
- 🎟️ July 27 — 🏃 Training resumes — 📍 PSG Campus
- 🎟️ August 5 — ⚽ Mallorca 🆚 PSG — Friendly match
- 🎟️ August 8 — ⚽ PSG 🆚 Manchester United — Friendly match
- 🎟️ August 12 — 🏆 PSG 🆚 Aston Villa — UEFA Super Cup
- 🎟️ August 16 — 🏆 Lens 🆚 PSG — Trophée des Champions
- 🎟️ August 23 — 🇫🇷 PSG 🆚 Rennes — Ligue 1 matchday 1
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