Barcelona scraps Fulham Joan Gamper invitation after Arabella appointment

Barcelona have dramatically abandoned plans to invite Premier League side Fulham to this year’s Joan Gamper Trophy following the London club’s appointment of former Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa, according to reports from Mundo Deportivo.

The Catalan giants had identified Fulham as a leading candidate for their traditional pre-season curtain-raiser, viewing a clash with a Premier League outfit as an attractive proposition given the competitive level of English football and the opportunity to present Hansi Flick’s squad against high-quality opposition. Barcelona’s sporting department had been exploring multiple options for the annual showcase, with the London club fitting many of the requirements.

However, those plans unravelled immediately after Fulham confirmed Arbeloa as their new head coach on a three-year deal on July 8. The 43-year-old Spaniard, who took over from Marco Silva following the Portuguese coach’s departure to Benfica, has long been a deeply unpopular figure among Barcelona supporters.

Arbeloa’s strained relationship with the Blaugrana faithful dates back to his playing days at Real Madrid, where he was a key figure in the fierce José Mourinho-led Clasico battles against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona between 2010 and 2013. The animosity was perhaps best encapsulated by his public feud with Gerard Piqué, with the Barcelona defender once dismissing Arbeloa as merely “an acquaintance” in a thinly-veiled insult. More recently, Arbeloa’s spell in Madrid’s coaching structure and several provocative public comments—including sarcastic remarks about Barcelona’s defeats and refereeing complaints—have only deepened the hostility.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s board took a dim view of having the former Real Madrid manager present on the Gamper touchline, and the prospect of him leading the opposition became far less appealing. The decision was swift: Fulham were dropped from the shortlist.

Barcelona had also considered Dutch giants Ajax and Mexican side Cruz Azul as potential opponents, but negotiations failed to produce agreements due to logistical and organisational factors. Ajax were ultimately ruled out after they confirmed their participation in UEFA Conference League qualifying fixtures.

The Catalan club have now finalised an agreement with Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly, one of Africa’s most successful and internationally recognised clubs. The fixture is scheduled for August 19 at the Spotify Camp Nou, marking Barcelona’s first home appearance of the 2026-27 season. The match also carries strategic significance for Barcelona, offering an opportunity to strengthen the club’s presence in the Egyptian market—a nation of approximately 110 million people.

Al Ahly also holds a special connection to Barcelona through Hamza Abdelkarim, an Egyptian striker who joined the club’s youth academy during the winter transfer window. Before facing Al Ahly, Barcelona will play at least five pre-season friendlies, including fixtures against CE Europa, Birmingham City, Udinese, and Nottingham Forest.

For Fulham, the snub represents an early reminder of the fierce rivalries their new Spanish coach brings with him to English football. Arbeloa’s Premier League debut season will now begin without a high-profile trip to Catalonia—a decision that speaks volumes about the lasting wounds of El Clásico.