The drama surrounding Barcelona’s pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe continues to unfold—but this time, with a positive twist. Following a brief dispute over sponsorship and contractual obligations, the issues have been resolved, and the match on 27 July is officially back on.
The fixture, which pays tribute to former Barcelona legends Andrés Iniesta, David Villa, and Bojan Krkić—all of whom spent time at Vissel Kobe—is now set to go ahead as originally planned. Disagreements with Rakuten have reportedly been settled, with all outstanding payments squared away and no lingering contractual concerns.
Barcelona trained earlier today at Noevir Kobe Stadium, the venue for Sunday’s match. Off the pitch, the club is embracing its supporters in Asia, with a reception planned at the Hotel Kobe Portopia, welcoming members from Supporters' Clubs FC Barcelona Japan and Penya Blaugrana Shanghai. The evening will also feature a Vissel Kobe 30th Anniversary Charity Match Gala Party, marking a special occasion for both clubs.
The match kicks off on Sunday at 19:00 JST (11:00 BST / 06:00 ET / 03:00 PT), and Culers will be able to catch all the action live on TV. A chance to see Marcus Rashford, Joan Garcia and the stars who won the domestic treble last season.
How to watch the game?
For fans in the UK and US, the match will be broadcast live on DAZN, available to both free and subscription account holders. Whether you're a casual viewer or a dedicated subscriber, you'll be able to tune in and catch all the action as Barcelona face Vissel Kobe in this much-anticipated pre-season fixture.
Meanwhile, fans in Spain can watch the game via the Culers Premium Subscription available on FC Barcelona’s official website. For ticketless fans in Japan, Abema TV will also be broadcasting the game live and free, ensuring local supporters don’t miss out on the action.
Whether you're a die-hard Barcelona supporter, tuning in for the Lamine Yamal show, or just here to enjoy the spectacle of world-class football, this pre-season friendly promises entertainment, nostalgia, and a glimpse of what’s to come in the new campaign.