FC Barcelona has officially called off their much-anticipated preseason tour of Japan due to what the club describes as a “serious breach of contract” by the event’s local promoter. The tour, initially set to take place in July, was scheduled to include a friendly match against Vissel Kobe this coming Sunday — a fixture that has now been scrapped.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the Spanish champions confirmed the decision to pull out of the Japan leg of their summer tour, while also expressing disappointment over the situation and its impact on fans.
“The club have been forced to suspend our participation in the match scheduled for next Sunday in Japan due to a serious breach of contract by the promoter,” read the statement from Barcelona. “Barcelona regret this incident and the impact on the large community of Barça fans in Japan.”
Although the club has taken a firm stance on Japan, they remain open to continuing their Asian tour — this time in South Korea. According to Barcelona, two fixtures are still on the schedule: a match against FC Seoul on July 31 and another against Daegu FC on August 4.
However, the club insists that their participation in these games hinges on the fulfilment of certain conditions by the event’s South Korean organizers.
“The club will consider readjusting the part of the summer tour in South Korea, where two matches are scheduled against FC Seoul and Daegu FC, provided that certain conditions are met by the promoter. If these conditions are met, the club will travel to South Korea in the coming days,” the statement continued.
Financial Dispute Behind the Japan Withdrawal
According to reports from ESPN, the breach of contract stemmed from failure on the part of the Japanese organizers to honour financial commitments, including payments promised to Barcelona for their participation. While no official figures have been released, it is understood that the breakdown in agreement left the club with no viable option but to cancel their trip.
The cancellation comes at a particularly sensitive time for Barcelona, who are actively working to strengthen their commercial prospects amid ongoing financial challenges. The club had hoped the Japan tour would not only serve as a preseason warm-up but also as an opportunity to deepen their engagement with the Asian market.
Disappointed Fans, Missed Opportunity
For fans in Japan, the cancellation is undoubtedly a major disappointment. The clash against Vissel Kobe, which features former Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta as a club ambassador, was expected to be a symbolic and emotional match, rekindling ties between Barça and Japanese supporters.
Online fan reactions have been swift and emotional, with many taking to social media to express their frustration and sadness. Japanese Barça fans had already begun preparing banners and purchasing tickets for the game before news of the cancellation broke.
“I was so looking forward to seeing Barcelona play live. It’s been a dream for years,” one Japanese fan tweeted. “I hope they come back next year and give us a proper match.”
South Korea Now in Focus
Despite the setback in Japan, attention has now shifted to South Korea, where Barcelona’s tour could still continue — provided the remaining logistical and contractual hurdles are cleared in time.
The club remains optimistic that the scheduled friendlies against FC Seoul and Daegu FC can proceed as planned. These matches will be crucial not only for player fitness and tactical preparation but also as part of Barcelona’s strategic outreach in Asia.
South Korea has a strong football fan base, and matches involving top European clubs often sell out within hours. Should the tour proceed, Barça will look to capitalize on their global brand and reconnect with their East Asian supporters.
Preparing for LaLiga Kick-Off
Barcelona’s preseason schedule remains tight. After their Asian tour — if it goes ahead — the club will return to Spain and continue preparations for the new LaLiga season.
The team is slated to face Italian side Como in a friendly at the Estadi Johan Cruyff on August 10, a final warm-up match before they begin their domestic campaign against Mallorca on August 16.
Under new head coach Hansi Flick, who replaced Xavi Hernández in June, the club is undergoing tactical adjustments and integrating new players into the squad. The preseason fixtures are seen as key opportunities for Flick to fine-tune his approach ahead of what is expected to be a competitive LaLiga title race.
A Setback, But Not a Disaster
While the Japan tour cancellation is certainly a blow to Barcelona’s international plans, club sources suggest that it will not derail their broader preseason strategy. The team has already been training at home and could schedule additional friendlies in Europe if the South Korean leg also falls through.
For now, Barça’s priority appears to be resolving the outstanding issues with organizers in South Korea, ensuring they can at least salvage part of their summer tour — and maintain good standing with fans in the region.
In the meantime, the club is likely to explore legal avenues regarding the breached contract in Japan, though officials have yet to confirm whether any litigation is forthcoming.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s withdrawal from the Japan leg of their preseason tour is a significant setback, particularly for the club’s global brand-building ambitions. However, their willingness to proceed with matches in South Korea — provided contractual conditions are met — suggests that the Catalan giants remain committed to engaging with their Asian fanbase.
As they continue preparations for the 2025/26 season, Barcelona will be keen to ensure the rest of their preseason unfolds without further disruption — and that their next stop, whether in Seoul or Daegu, delivers the kind of spectacle their fans have been eagerly waiting for.
