Football fans are anticipating the much-awaited clash that will pit Al-Ahly against Spanish Barcelona, as part of both teams’ preparations for the new football season (2026-2027).
Al-Ahly Club announced today, Friday, that the club’s football company has finalized all agreements with Barça to participate in the Joan Gamper Cup during the delegation’s visit to Barcelona. Read the details here
The highly anticipated match between Barcelona and Al-Ahly is scheduled to take place at the Catalan club’s home on August 19.
What is the Joan Gamper Cup?
The Joan Gamper Cup is a friendly match organized annually by Barcelona in preparation for the new season. It is named after Joan Gamper, the club’s founder and one of its most prominent historical figures.
The first edition of the tournament was held in 1966, after then-Barcelona president Enric Llaudet proposed a summer competition to honor the club’s founder.
It originally featured four clubs, but since 1997 it has been contested as a single match between Barcelona and an invited team.
Al-Ahly’s participation in the 2026 edition marks a historic milestone, as the club will be the first Arab and African team invited to face Barcelona for the trophy.
Barcelona has won the friendly tournament 47 times, while several invited clubs have also lifted the trophy, most notably German side Köln, the only team to win it more than once (twice).
