Barcelona changes Joan Gamper Trophy plans, drops Fulham for Al Ahly

Barcelona will host Al Ahly in this year's Joan Gamper Trophy, moving away from plans to invite Fulham. The decision follows the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as Fulham's manager, which diminished their appeal as opponents due to Arbeloa's past with Barcelona. Initially, Fulham was a strong candidate, but the club also considered Ajax and Cruz Azul before finalizing the matchup with Al Ahly. Arranging a fixture with Fulham would have fulfilled Barcelona’s desire for high-quality preparation ahead of the upcoming season.

• 7:20 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona changed Joan Gamper Trophy plans after Alvaro Arbeloa’s appointment at Fulham – report