According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, FC Barcelona have reached an agreement with Egyptian giants Al Ahly SC for a historic friendly match in the upcoming Joan Gamper Trophy this August.
The Catalan club traditional kicks off its new season with the Joan Gamper Trophy match at the Camp Nou. This fixture will mark a historic milestone, as Al Ahly will become the first-ever Arab or African club to be invited to participate in this prestigious annual event.
The highly anticipated clash is scheduled to take place on August 19, just a few days before Barcelona’s La Liga campaign gets underway. Head coach Hansi Flick is expected to field his primary starting lineup, as is traditional for this curtain-raiser, at least for one half of the match.
Through this fixture, Barcelona is strategically targeting the massive Egyptian market of over 110 million people, as well as the wider Arab world. The Catalan board aims to penetrate these lucrative markets to generate substantial commercial revenue, mirroring their successful marketing strategies in Southeast Asia and North America.
This developmental step follows a recent transfer agreement between the two powerhouse clubs. Barcelona recently finalized the permanent signing of Al Ahly’s young striker, Hamza Abdelkarim, following his successful loan spell with the Blaugrana during the second half of last season.
It is worth noting that Al Ahly have recently appointed Moroccan tactician Houssine Ammouta as their new head coach. His debut test promises to be an ultimate challenge against Barça. Historically, the two sides have crossed paths three times: Barcelona won 6-1 in 1960, triumphed 4-0 during Al Ahly’s centenary celebrations in 2007, and secured a 4-1 victory during a friendly tournament in London.
