Egyptian giants Al Ahly in line for Joan Gamper trophy tie against Barcelona

Egyptian giants Al Ahly are in line for a high-profile clash against Spanish powerhouse Barcelona as part of preparations for the upcoming season.

The potential encounter would take place in the prestigious Joan Gamper Trophy, a traditional curtain-raiser hosted annually by Barcelona in honour of the club’s founder, Joan Gamper.

Per reports, Barcelona’s board recently convened to map out the club’s pre-season strategy, including training camps and friendly fixtures.

Currently, Dutch side Ajax have emerged as the leading candidates to face the Catalan club in the Gamper Cup. However, should negotiations with Ajax fall through, Al Ahly have emerged as a strong alternative, alongside German outfit RB Leipzig.

For Al Ahly, Africa’s most decorated club, a meeting with Barcelona would represent a significant global showcase and a rare opportunity to test themselves against elite European opposition.

Barcelona’s preparations are also being shaped by differing views within the club. Head coach Hansi Flick is reportedly keen on keeping the pre-season base in Spain to minimize travel fatigue and optimize player conditioning. In contrast, the club’s hierarchy is pushing for international tours to boost global visibility and commercial growth.

A compromise appears to be taking shape, with Barcelona likely to embark on a 15-day training camp in England. The La Liga side are expected to play a friendly in Birmingham on July 30, with the possibility of an additional fixture during the camp.

Further international travel is also on the agenda. Barcelona could head to Nairobi for a glamour tie against Liverpool FC on August 8. Alternatively, the Spanish giants may opt for a trip to Morocco, where they could face a Jordanian club on August 5.

While no final decision has been made regarding the Gamper Cup opponent, the prospect of Al Ahly facing Barcelona is already generating excitement, with fans eager to see whether the African champions will get the nod for what promises to be a blockbuster pre-season encounter.