Barcelona’s trip to Tokyo has come to an unexpected halt.
The club was set to take on Japanese champions Vissel Kobe in a high-profile friendly this Sunday, but plans have been scrapped after what Barcelona is calling “serious contractual breaches” by the event’s promoter.
In a statement released Thursday, July 24, the Spanish side confirmed the cancellation and hinted that their remaining stops in Asia—especially South Korea—could also be in jeopardy unless certain demands are met.
“Barcelona regrets to announce the suspension of Sunday’s match in Japan,” the statement read, citing major issues with the promoter as the cause.
While no names were mentioned in the official release, earlier announcements had linked the Yasuda Group to the tour’s organization. As of now, that group has yet to respond publicly.
Vissel Kobe, who were gearing up to host the La Liga champions, expressed disappointment in a message to fans: “We sincerely apologise to all the supporters and partners who were looking forward to the match. We’re working with the parties involved to gather more information and respond accordingly.”
Despite the setback in Japan, Barcelona is still expected to continue its summer schedule in South Korea—with matches against FC Seoul and Daegu planned for July 31 and August 4.
That said, the club made it clear that those fixtures hinge on certain conditions being fulfilled.
“If those requirements are met,” the club stated, “Barcelona will head to South Korea in the coming days. We deeply regret the cancellation and understand how disappointing this is for our fans in Japan.”
Meanwhile, South Korean event organizer D-Drive is trying to keep things on track, promising supporters that preparations for the upcoming matches are still going full steam ahead.
“We’re doing everything we can to deliver an exciting experience for everyone involved,” the company said.
Barcelona had hoped their time in Asia would be the perfect way to warm up for the new season—and to connect with fans across the region. With their Tokyo plans now off the table and Seoul hanging in the balance, they’ll be racing to keep the rest of the tour intact.
