The referee views a pitchside monitor before making a decision during a football match in Cangzhou, North China's Hebei Province. Photo: IC

The newly unveiled competition calendar of the 2025 season by the Chinese Football Association (CFA) is a proactive move to balance the domestic and international commitments while prioritizing the national team's preparation for the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers.

According to the new calendar, the 2025 season will start earlier and end later than previous seasons, extending the overall length of the season for a month. The 2025 Chinese Super League will kick off on February 21 and conclude on November 22. The CFA said that this adjustment will help better allocate time for national team training and preparation, while also optimizing the domestic league schedule, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

"I've noticed this adjustment, and I think it's a positive move. On one hand, it benefits the national team's preparations for the World Cup qualifiers, and on the other, it aligns with the development trends in Asian football," Luo Le, a sports scholar at the Beijing University of Chemical Technology, told the Global Times on Monday. 

By extending the season by an additional month, the CFA has made a concerted effort to provide longer preparation time for the national team to gear up for the World Cup qualifiers. This added time allows for more strategic planning, with longer windows for training camps and fewer overlaps between international and club duties. 

This can help reduce the risk of burnout and injuries for national team players, ensuring that they remain in good form for crucial qualifying matches.

On Monday, the CFA also announced that Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province will hold the Asian qualifier match between China and Australia on March 25. 

After six rounds of qualifiers, China currently has six points, level with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in third to fifth place respectively in Group C and keeping their World Cup dream alive. China will face Saudi Arabia away before hosting the Socceroos in March.

Branko Ivankovic, head coach of China's national football team, previously said that he hoped the domestic league would start earlier to help national team players get into form in time. Unlike the Chinese league, the next four opponents in the group - Saudi Arabia, Australia, Indonesia, and Bahrain - are all competing in cross-year formats, meaning their leagues remain active throughout the winter, the Soccer News reported.

The early kickoff date of the league will allow the national team to have a 26-day break to prepare for the qualifiers in March. 

This new calendar shift is also in line with trends observed in other parts of Asia, particularly with regard to the AFC Champions League (AFC). With the increased importance of the continental competition, Chinese clubs will now have a more feasible pathway to balance their domestic and international commitments. Clubs can now plan their seasons with a clearer understanding of when and how their players will be expected to join in both leagues and international competitions, without the constant threat of overexertion or scheduling conflicts.

In addition, by coordinating the domestic and international schedules more effectively, the CFA demonstrates its commitment to enhancing the overall football ecosystem. 

For fans, this adjustment will likely mean a more engaging season, with fewer disruptions and more focus on high-stakes competitions, at both the domestic and continental levels.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn