Barcelona v Al Ahly: Joan Gamper Trophy preview at Spotify Camp Nou

FC Barcelona will host Al Ahly at Spotify Camp Nou in the Joan Gamper Trophy, in a match preview published on August 17, 2026. The game is Barcelona’s final pre-season fixture ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Barcelona arrive after a mixed pre-season in which they have played four friendlies and won two, most recently beating FC Basel 5-2; the preview noted Barcelona controlled the tempo against Basel but still need defensive polish under Hansi Flick. The match at Camp Nou gives Barcelona home advantage as they seek a final warm-up win before the season starts.

Karim Adeyemi scored his first goal for Barcelona, opening the scoring against FC Basel, and the preview states Flick is expected to start the 24-year-old on the right flank now that Lamine Yamal has recently joined the squad. The article describes Adeyemi as a constant threat to opponents’ defences.

Al Ahly enter the Joan Gamper as the club described in the preview as the most decorated in the world with 125 official titles, and they come off a 3-0 win over CF Badalona in their previous pre-season match under Hussein Ammouta. The piece notes a 30-year-old in the Al Ahly squad made an appearance at the FIFA World Cup 2026 for Egypt and was one of the scorers in that 3-0 victory.

Ahmed Sayed Zizo is singled out in the preview as a player who will aim to deliver a strong performance against Barcelona, while Al Ahly will be without Karim Fouad because of injury. Barcelona will be missing Roony Bardghji and Frenkie De Jong, both of whom the preview says are recovering from long-term injuries and will not take part.

The preview lists the expected starting XIs: Barcelona — Joan Garcia (GK); Eric Garcia, Christensen, Martin, Balde; Bernal, Espart; Adeyemi, Lopez, Gordon; Raphinha. Al Ahly — El Shenawy (GK); Eid, Ibrahim, Marei, Fouad; Zizo, Saeey, Afsha, Shahat; Raafat, Benjdida.

The article projects Barcelona hold the advantage given squad quality and home ground, and it offers a prediction of Barcelona 3-2 Al Ahly. These sides have never faced each other before, and fans can watch the match live via FC Barcelona’s official YouTube Channel and the Barça Play app.