Cruz Azul handles the possibility of facing Barcelona at the Joan Gamper
The “Celestial Machine” would premiere the Clausura 2026 title in the prestigious tournament in Catalan lands, where a Mexican team would play for the third time
The “Celestial Machine” of Cruz Azul would have the opportunity to debut the title of the Clausura 2026 tournament in the prestigious Joan Gamper tournament in Barcelona, in a version that circulates in the environment of the cement organization, in what would be the third time that a Mexican team participates.
So far there is no concrete news regarding a rapprochement with the team led by the German Hansi Flick, but in advance it would be the opportunity to debut the championship at a very high level and what better than against the Catalan squad, the iconic Real Madrid's main adversary.
Cruz Azul, in its short-term plans, will apparently stay with Joel Huiqui in the technical direction and could be putting together the squad to face Barcelona next August, when the European teams carry out their preseason.
In the history of the Joan Gamper tournament, only two Mexican teams have participated, such as León in 2014, when they were beaten 6-0 on August 18 of that year in a duel that served as a tribute to Rafael Márquez, a legend of the Catalan team and who was part of the emerald team.
The second squad that participated in said tournament was the UNAM Pumas in August 2022 and that match was used to pay tribute to Brazilian Dani Alves with a resounding 6-0 defeat, in a strong humiliation for the university team.
The Joan Gamper Trophy is a friendly football tournament that FC Barcelona organizes every summer in his honor before the start of the season and where important international football teams always attend.
Cruz Azul became the monarch of the Mexican competition in a thrilling final where they beat the Pumas, who were the general leader of the Clausura 2026 tournament, generating one of the great surprises in the history of the leagues.
The light blue team is one of the options that the organizers are considering along with Naples and Roma from Serie A, as well as the German team Borussia Dortmund, which will be defined in the coming days, but without a doubt for Cruz Azul it would be a good opportunity to show itself at an international level.