What are Premier League clubs doing during the World Cup?

Mason MountCold night at Stamford Bridge as Mason Mount exhales. Photo: Daniel Bearham/Colorsport/Shutterstock

With the World Cup being moved out of its traditional summer slot and starting this month, there will be a hiatus across Europe’s top leagues during November and December.

Premier League action will end after this weekend with Fulham v Manchester United the final fixture before the schedule resumes on Boxing Day.

This has created a situation where clubs will not have competitive matches for over a month. So what are some of them doing during this time?

Arsenal

Arsenal squad
Arsenal are one of a number of clubs flying out to the Middle East.
Photo: Neil Hall/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The league leaders are going to a warm-weather training camp in Dubai where they will play two friendlies, one reportedly against French side Lyon.

There are also plans for a home friendly at the Emirates on December 17, the day before the World Cup final.

Chelsea

The Londoners will travel to the Middle East for training and to Abu Dhabi to play at least one friendly with the opposition not yet decided.

Everton

The Toffees have a very busy schedule during the break, travelling to Australia to play Celtic on November 20 and Sydney Wanderers in the Sydney Super Cup three days later.

Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will be taking his side to Dubai.
Photo: David Cliff/AP/Shutterstock

Like Arsenal, Liverpool are flying out to Dubai for a training camp and will play friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan.

Manchester City

The reigning Premier League champions are also going out to Abu Dhabi, the home of their owner and UAE Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Mansour.

Manchester United

United will be staying in Europe and will spend a bit of time in Spain and will play two friendlies against Cadiz.

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe said Newcastle’s training camp in Saudi Arabia is for “football reasons.”
Photo: Dave Thompson/AP/Shutterstock

The north-east club had a controversial takeover by Saudi Arabia last year and will travel there for their training camp and a match against Al-Hilal.

The remaining 13 clubs will either stay in the country or are yet to reveal their plans.

By Charlie Evans

Reporter/News Editor. Interests include: sport, politics and history.

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