Barcelona will face Al Ahly in the 2026 Joan Gamper Trophy on Wednesday, 19 August, with the Egyptian club preparing to make history in one of the most prestigious fixtures of its international calendar.
The match will be Al Ahly’s first appearance in the Joan Gamper Trophy, an annual event organised by Barcelona ahead of the new season. The competition honours Joan Gamper, the Swiss founder of Barcelona and one of the most influential figures in the club’s history.
Al Ahly’s invitation represents another significant milestone for the Cairo-based club. It will become the first Egyptian club and the first team from Africa to take part in the Joan Gamper Trophy since the tournament was established six decades ago.
The fixture will also carry an additional emotional significance because of Hamza Abdelkarim’s move from Al Ahly to Barcelona. The Egyptian forward is set to face his former club for the first time while wearing Barcelona’s colours, adding a personal dimension to an already historic occasion.
The match is part of Barcelona’s preparations for the 2026-27 season and will be played at Spotify Camp Nou on Wednesday, 19 August 2026.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:00 Saudi Arabia time and 21:00 United Arab Emirates time.
Viewers in Egypt and other territories will be able to watch the match on On Sport Plus. The game will also be available online through the ON Sport application.
On Sport Plus has appointed Ayman Al-Kashef and Moamen Hassan to provide commentary on the meeting.
The Joan Gamper Trophy is held by Barcelona at the start of each season as a tribute to the club’s Swiss founder. Its traditional place on the pre-season calendar gives the hosts an opportunity to begin preparations at Spotify Camp Nou, while also welcoming a notable opponent from outside European football.
For Al Ahly, the occasion provides a chance to add to the club’s international record by appearing in a competition that has been organised by Barcelona for around 60 years. Its participation also gives the club a place in the tournament’s history as the first representative from Egypt and Africa.
Interest in the game is expected to be heightened by Abdelkarim’s involvement. Having completed his transfer from Al Ahly to Barcelona, the forward will now line up against the side he previously represented, in what will be his first meeting with his former club as a Barcelona player.
Match details
– Fixture: Barcelona v Al Ahly
– Competition: 2026 Joan Gamper Trophy
– Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
– Venue: Spotify Camp Nou
– Kick-off: 20:00 Saudi Arabia time; 21:00 United Arab Emirates time
– Television: On Sport Plus
– Online: ON Sport application
– Commentary: Ayman Al-Kashef and Moamen Hassan
