With the Premier League fixture list now released and pre-season fast approaching, Tottenham Hotspur’s players are set to report back in phases.
The World Cup is currently taking centre stage as nations across the globe battle for football’s biggest prize.
However, while that remains the focus, preparations are firmly in place for club football, which resumes in August following the release of the Premier League schedule.
Tottenham will be aiming for a much stronger league campaign under Roberto De Zerbi, who was appointed back in April and is now preparing for his first full season at the helm.
As part of those preparations, Spurs have organised a detailed pre-season schedule to ensure players find rhythm before the campaign kicks off.
When Tottenham players are expected to return for pre-season training
Tottenham’s pre-season schedule has them set to play six matches before their Premier League opener against Brentford.
The club’s tour to New Zealand and Australia remains central to those plans, with fixtures against Auckland FC in New Zealand, and Sydney FC and Chelsea in Australia.
A behind-closed-doors match against MK Dons at Spurs’ training ground is also included. Tottenham have further confirmed back-to-back friendlies against Bundesliga side Hoffenheim, with all matches scheduled before the season begins.
According to the Standard, pre-season preparations are expected to start on 10 July when the first batch of Spurs players return to training.
Following that, the squad is due to fly to New Zealand on Thursday, 23 July – just four days after the World Cup final.
Spurs players set for staggered return to pre-season as 2026 World Cup continues
Spurs had 12 representatives at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. So far, four have been eliminated, with Andy Robertson and Rodrigo Bentancur departing in the group stages.
Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke followed in the next round after the Netherlands’ 3-2 penalty shootout defeat to Morocco.
The Standard has suggested there is a possibility that these players could return to training before the squad departs for New Zealand.
However, it is important to note that no firm date has yet been agreed for when those involved at the World Cup will rejoin Spurs.
Of course, players who go deeper into the competition will need more time off and return to Spurs pre-season alot later.