Barcelona’s pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe is back on schedule after resolving issues with the match promoter, which had initially led to its cancellation. The match, set to take place in Tokyo, was called off by the Spanish champions last Thursday due to “serious contractual breaches” by the promoter. However, Barcelona announced that the issues have now been sorted out, and the team departed for Japan on Friday morning.
While the specific promoter was not identified, the Yasuda Group was mentioned in the initial announcement regarding the tour. BBC Sport has reached out to the Yasuda Group for comments on the latest developments.
In addition to facing Vissel Kobe, Barcelona will also compete against K League 1 teams FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu on August 4 in South Korea. Notably, Marcus Rashford has been included in Barcelona’s 30-man squad for this three-match trip. The England forward joined the Catalan club on a one-year loan from Manchester United, with an option for a permanent transfer set at £30.3 million (35 million euros) in 2026. Rashford makes history as the first men’s England international to sign for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in 1986.
The resolution of the issues surrounding the friendly match signifies a positive turn for Barcelona as they prepare for their upcoming fixtures. With the addition of a high-profile player like Rashford, the club’s pre-season tour is shaping up to be an exciting opportunity for both players and fans.