Paris Saint-Germain began preparations for the 2026-2027 season on Monday, July 27, but with a significantly depleted squad, as players who participated in the World Cup are naturally taking their holidays at a later time. According to journalist Benjamin Quarez (Le Parisien), PSG saw the first of its World Cup participants rejoin the group this Friday: Willian Pacho, the 24-year-old Ecuadorian defender.
Willian Pacho is back at the Campus. The Ecuadorian defender resumes training today.
While not an official announcement, there is no reason to doubt the report; it would be quite odd to make such a definitive statement without cause. It also makes logical sense, given that Ecuador was eliminated in the World Cup Round of 32 by Mexico (2-0). This return aligns with the four-week break allotted to the PSG players, allowing Pacho to begin his pre-season work. This results in only a minor delay—good news for getting him back to match fitness relatively quickly.
Of course, the PSG squad—like most teams—won’t be at 100% for another few months, but the ramp-up to full fitness will be faster and smoother than last season. That previous campaign was unique, as a proper pre-season was impossible due to the Club World Cup. Pacho will likely be ready for the first competitive match on August 12 against Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup.
