Barça chooses Al Ahly as their opponent for the Joan Gamper Trophy
By OnzeActu · · 4 min read
FC Barcelona has confirmed the participation of Al Ahly in its traditional Joan Gamper Trophy on August 19, 2026. This change follows the cancellation of Ajax, constrained by its preliminary matches in the Europa Conference League. An opportunity to also present its recruits to Catalan supporters.
According to Vi.
Context
FC Barcelona, by choosing Al Ahly as its opponent, has the opportunity to strengthen its links with African football while continuing to promote its image internationally. Although Ajax have been traditional opponents, the presence of Al Ahly will bring a new dynamic to the Joan Gamper Trophy, allowing Barca to focus on their season goals while celebrating the legacy of Johan Cruyff.
Why it matters
The Joan Gamper Trophy is a key event for FC Barcelona, marking the start of the season and providing a platform to showcase its new signings. The participation of Al Ahly, although less historic than that of Ajax, allows Barça to maintain a prestigious showcase for its supporters. This match will also impact the season, strengthening ties with international clubs and affirming Barça's ambitions on the world stage.
Key points
- Barça chooses Al Ahly as their opponent for the Joan Gamper Trophy.
- FC Barcelona has confirmed the participation of Al Ahly in its traditional Joan Gamper Trophy on August 19, 2026.
- Barça comes to support Ajax as partner of Joan Gamper-duel.
FC Barcelona will hold its 61st Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday August 19 at 8:00 p.m., but the match initially planned against Ajax Amsterdam has been canceled. Indeed, the Dutch club, engaged in the preliminary rounds of the Europa Conference League, including a 4-1 away victory in the first leg in Serbia last Thursday, had to withdraw for scheduling reasons.
This cancellation deprives the duel of a historical dimension, linked to the legend of Johan Cruyff, an emblematic figure appreciated by both Barça and Ajax. Jordi Cruyff, technical director of the Dutch and son of Johan, also maintains close links with the Catalan club.
As a replacement, Barcelona leaders invited the Egyptian club Al Ahly. This team will be Barça's opponent for this first home meeting of the 2026-2027 season.
This poster will also be an opportunity for FC Barcelona to unveil its new recruits in front of its public, including Anthony Gordon, recruited for 80 million euros, as well as Karim Adeyemi, signed for 20 million euros. This prestigious gathering is part of the Catalan club's desire to assert its sporting and commercial ambitions for the coming season.
Image
The Joan Gamper Trophy is a tradition every year that launches the new FC Barcelona season. It is a high-level event, often organized against prestigious opponents and sometimes full of shared history with the Catalan club. The arrival of Al Ahly, one of the most successful teams in Africa, promises an attractive match which will mobilize Blaugrana supporters.
The postponement or cancellation of such friendly matches is common due to tight European calendars, especially for clubs competing in several competitions. For Ajax, the choice to prioritize their European commitments in the qualifying phase demonstrates the importance given to the Europa Conference League, a competition where they have already secured a convincing victory.
This Barcelona-Al Ahly poster will help maintain interest in the Joan Gamper Trophy, while giving great visibility to African football in one of the largest stadiums in Europe.
With this announcement, Barça confirms its desire to combine tradition, spectacle and sporting strategy to offer fans a memorable evening, as the 2026-2027 season officially begins in Catalonia.
The rest
FC Barcelona are now preparing to host Al Ahly on August 19, where they will unveil their new signings, including Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi. This match will be crucial to establish the tone of the 2026-2027 season and to assess the integration of new players into the team. The supporters are impatiently awaiting this meeting, which could also influence the morale of the team before the start of official competitions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the score of the match between FC Barcelona and Al Ahly?
The match has not yet taken place, it is scheduled for Wednesday August 19.
What is the impact of the match on FC Barcelona's ranking?
The match is a friendly match for the Joan Gamper Trophy and will not affect the official ranking.
When will the next FC Barcelona match take place?
FC Barcelona's next match is scheduled for Wednesday August 19 against Al Ahly.
Why was the match against Ajax canceled?
The match against Ajax was canceled due to their commitment in the preliminary rounds of the Europa Conference League.
Who are the new FC Barcelona recruits presented during the Joan Gamper Trophy?
News
Featured recruits are Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi.