Barcelona changes Joan Gamper Trophy plans, drops Fulham for Al Ahly
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 11, 2026, 7:20 AM
Last updated Jul 11, 2026
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.
- •Barcelona will play Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy.
- •Fulham was initially considered but dropped following Arbeloa's appointment.
- •Ajax and Cruz Azul were also discussed but not finalized.
- •The match serves as a pre-season preparation for Barcelona.
- 7:20 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona changed Joan Gamper Trophy plans after Alvaro Arbeloa’s appointment at Fulham – report
"Barcelona’s search for an opponent for this year’s Joan Gamper Trophy took an unexpected turn after the club decided against inviting Fulham following the appointment of former Real Madrid defende...
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