Lamine Yamal is seen proudly showcasing his new Barcelona jersey after signing a contract extension on July 16, 2025. In an exciting turn of events, FC Barcelona has confirmed that they will indeed play a preseason match in Japan, reversing previous statements about the game’s cancellation following a contractual dispute with the promoter.
The Spanish champions announced on Friday that they are set to travel to Japan, where they will face Vissel Kobe in a friendly match on Sunday. In their statement, the club mentioned that they have addressed “all aspects” of the issue with the promoter, which had earlier compelled them to suspend their participation in the friendly.
Following their visit to Japan, Barcelona has plans to head to South Korea for two additional friendly matches—against FC Seoul on July 31 and Daegu FC on August 4. Similar to many major clubs that have faced financial challenges, Barcelona is taking advantage of the summer to engage in international exhibition matches as a strategy to generate additional revenue.
For the matches in Asia, the club has included a roster of 30 players, notably featuring newly signed English forward Marcus Rashford. This bolstered lineup may boost their performance and draw increased attention from fans, potentially leading to strong support and revenue growth during their summer tour.
Overall, this Japan trip marks a positive development for FC Barcelona as they continue to navigate the complexities of their financial recovery while engaging their international fanbase.