Barcelona begins 2026/27 preseason training
FC Barcelona has commenced its 2026/27 preseason training, with the first session taking place at the Ciutat Esportiva. This initial workout followed medical examinations and fitness tests conducted on Monday, July 13, marking the official start of the new season’s preparations for Hansi Flick’s squad. A total of 25 players participated in the medical assessments.
The first training session on Tuesday saw nine first-team players in attendance. These included Ter Stegen, Szczesny, Balde, Christensen, Casadó, Gerard Martín, Marc Bernal, Héctor Fort, and Roony Bardghji. The remaining members of the squad are yet to rejoin the team, as they are still returning from World Cup duties.
In addition to the first-team players, the training session also featured several talents from Barça Atlètic and the U19 squads. These young players included Jofre Torrents, Álvaro Cortés, Hafiz Gariba, Tommy Marqués, Orian Goren, Ebrima Tunkara, Ibrahim Diarra, Guille Fernández, Álex González, Shane Kluivert, Òscar Gistau, Toni Fernández, Áron Yaakobishvili, Xavi Espart, Hamza Abdelkarim, and Brian Fariñas.
The team is scheduled for a double training session on Wednesday, July 15. These sessions are planned for 9:30 AM CEST and 6:00 PM CEST, indicating an intensive start to the preseason schedule.
Squad and Transfer Developments
Amidst the preseason commencement, there have been several developments concerning the squad. Roony Bardghji, one of the players who participated in the initial training, commented on his future after his medical examination, stating that “everything’s fine” when asked if he had spoken to coach Flick.
The club has also seen a new arrival with Caicedo, an 18-year-old left-back from Ecuador, joining on loan from LDU Quito. This agreement includes an option for a permanent transfer, aiming to bolster Juliano Belletti’s squad. This move highlights the club’s efforts to strengthen its roster for the upcoming season.
In other transfer news, Bayern Munich has reportedly made inquiries about the situation of French full-back Jules Kounde. The Bavarian club has contacted Kounde’s representatives to ascertain his willingness regarding a potential transfer. This suggests ongoing interest from other major European clubs in Barcelona’s players.
Club president Laporta has also addressed the situation surrounding striker Julián Álvarez, issuing a warning to Atlético Madrid. Laporta stated, “We won’t dance to anyone’s tune,” and clarified that “The offer is not unlimited,” indicating a firm stance on transfer negotiations.
Club Operations and Preseason Fixtures
An existing clause in Ferran Torres’ contract could make his renewal more expensive. When Torres was signed from Manchester City, his contract included a provision that would require Barça to pay 8 million to the English club if he extends his contract.
Looking ahead, Barcelona has communicated to La Liga a request to play the first half of the 2027/28 season at Montjuïc. This request is due to the planned installation of the roof at Spotify Camp Nou, which is expected to take approximately four and a half months, beginning in June.
The preseason schedule includes a friendly match against Preston North End. Reports from Spain suggest that this match will take place on Monday, August 3, in a behind-closed-doors fixture at St George’s Park. Hansi Flick’s team is scheduled to spend one week in England as part of their summer preparations, which also includes a match against Birmingham City on July 27.
While Preston North End has not yet officially announced the fixture, it appears they will provide another test for Barcelona during their English tour. This friendly is part of a broader preseason programme for Preston, which includes matches against Bamber Bridge on Tuesday, July 14, Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, July 18, Cambridge United in Spain on Friday, July 24, and Stockport County on Saturday, August 1.
The commencement of preseason training on Tuesday, July 14, marks the official start of the 2026/27 season for FC Barcelona.
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Source: fcbarcelona.com
