Barcelona’s 2026/27 La Liga opener postponed after France book World Cup semi-final spot | OneFootball

Barcelona will not begin their 2026-27 La Liga campaign as originally scheduled after France secured a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a 2-0 victory over Morocco. 

The result has an immediate impact on the Catalan club, with Barcelona’s La Liga opener postponed because of Jules Kounde’s continued involvement in the tournament.

The Barcelona news follows La Liga president Javier Tebas’ earlier confirmation that any club with players reaching the World Cup semi-finals would receive a delayed start to the domestic season. 

As a result, Barcelona’s La Liga opener, delayed due to World Cup commitments, is now official, meaning Hansi Flick’s side will have to wait an extra week before beginning their league campaign, reports Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona World Cup players force fixture change

The decisive factor behind the Barcelona opening match postponed decision is Jules Kounde’s France World Cup semi-final qualification. 

Kounde has qualified for World Cup semi-finals. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

With Didier Deschamps’s side progressing to the final four, Barcelona automatically meet the conditions set by La Liga for a postponed opening fixture.

Before the quarter-finals began, Barça were one of the clubs most likely to be affected because they still had 10 players representing three nations competing for a place in the semi-finals. 

Spain were represented by Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, Gavi, Eric Garcia and Joan Garcia, while Anthony Gordon remained with England alongside Koundé for France.

Explaining the policy, Javier Tebas had said, 

“The provisions of the AFE collective agreement will be honoured for all players, and there must be three weeks’ rest for the players following their last match at the World Cup, plus three weeks’ preparation.”

Barcelona 2026-27 La Liga schedule receives early adjustment

Barcelona’s 2026/27 La Liga opener has been postponed. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Barcelona had originally been scheduled to open the 2026-27 La Liga season against Athletic at the Spotify Camp Nou during the weekend of 15-16 August. 

However, the latest Barcelona La Liga fixture update means that match will now be rearranged.

According to Tebas, the postponed fixture is expected to be played between the second and third rounds of the championship, although La Liga has yet to announce the exact date.

Instead, Barcelona are now expected to begin their domestic season away to Elche on the second matchday, currently scheduled for 22-23 August. 

The revised Barcelona 2026-27 La Liga schedule gives Kounde and any other World Cup semi-finalists the recovery period required before returning to club football.