GAMPER PREVIEW | FC Barcelona v Al Ahly

This is no ordinary Wednesday, because it is time for the 61st edition of the Festa del Gamper Estrella Damm. At 8pm CEST, FC Barcelona will play their traditional preseason fixture, which returns to Spotify Camp Nou after four seasons away. The guests this time are Egyptian side Al Ahly, the first time an African team has contested the trophy.

The presentation of the 2026/27 Barça squad will be happening an hour before kick-off, at 7pm CEST, and like the match itself, will be available worldwide, except in Egypt, via Barça Play.

New faces

The new signings are always among the most eagerly awaited attractions at this summer event, and this year is no exception. It will be a first Gamper for players such as Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, as well as Jesse Bisiwu. And it promises to be a particularly special game for Hamza Abdelkarim, who came through the ranks at Al Ahly and has been the sensation of the preseason with his three goals.

Rodrigo Hernández will also be there. Announced just yesterday as Barça's latest signing, he is not expected to play but will be able to enjoy a warm welcome from his new supporters.

Final preseason test

All of this provides the perfect backdrop to the final test of preseason. Barça began their preparations with a 2-2 draw at Birmingham City, won one of their two games in the triangular tournament in Udine and enjoyed a convincing win in Basel last Sunday.

Once the Gamper is over, Barça's 2026/27 competitive campaign will begin with Sunday's La Liga fixture away to Elche (9.30pm CEST). As reigning Liga and Spanish Super Cup champions and with some top-class additions to the squad, Barça fans have every reason to dream of even greater things in the season that's only just beginning...