Barcelona changed Joan Gamper plans after Fulham appointed former Real Madrid figure | OneFootball

The plans of FC Barcelona for the summer 2026 preseason are taking their final shape. The Catalan club has already worked out the various activities that its team will be undertaking before the start of the 2026-27 season, while a final decision is still awaited on some of these plans.

For instance, the club has decided to hold a training camp in England this summer, which will go on for a week and will also involve two friendlies, against Birmingham City and Preston North End, although the latter is yet to be confirmed. Furthermore, the Blaugrana team would also participate in a triangular tournament with Udinese and Nottingham Forest.

The preseason would come to an end with the Joan Gamper Trophy game on 19th August. Barcelona have reached an agreement with the Egyptian side Al-Ahly to play this game at the Spotify Camp Nou.

However, there were some other sides as well that the Catalans were considering playing this traditional game against this summer. According to Mundo Deportivo, one of these was the Premier League side Fulham, but the Blaugranes ruled out this option after the London club appointed the former Real Madrid player and coach Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach.

Being one of the historical clubs in England, Barcelona believed Fulham would be a good option to face in the Joan Gamper Trophy, especially as Premier League teams are highly popular worldwide.

However, their plans changed after the appointment of Arbeloa, whom they did not want to be involved in the club’s traditional fixture. Some of the Spaniard’s comments while he was in charge of Real Madrid incensed Barcelona fans, who already did not like him much from his time as a player.

Similarly, other clubs like Ajax and Cruz Azul were also considered for the Joan Gamper Trophy match, but an agreement was not reached with them. Thus, Barcelona would face Al-Ahly this year in their traditional game, before starting the 2026-27 season.