What happened: Pre-season operations will officially begin at Kirkby on July 14. Early preparations are already underway at the AXA Training Centre with academy prospects and select senior personnel reporting for duty.

Why it matters: New head coach Andoni Iraola must navigate a fractured summer timeline complicated by the ongoing World Cup. The delayed arrival of international participants forces the technical staff to prioritize rapid tactical evaluations over sweeping schematic changes.

What to watch: The squad travels to Nashville for an exhibition against Sunderland on July 25. Subsequent friendlies feature matchups with Wrexham at Yankee Stadium and Leeds United at Soldier Field.