FC Barcelona will play a friendly match against Vissel Kobe on 27 July 2025, at 7pm local time at Kobe Stadium. This game will kick off Barça's preseason tour of Asia, offering fans the chance to once again watch some of the world's best players in action. The match marks Barça’s return to Japan following their last visit in 2023.

The opponent

In recent seasons, Vissel Kobe has undergone a period of significant growth and success, establishing itself as one of the leading teams in the J1 League. In 2023, the club secured its first-ever league title with Barça legend Andrés Iniesta among its ranks, and they successfully defended the title in 2024. Although the team has shown inconsistent form this past year, Vissel Kobe is once again aiming to claim the domestic league title in the 2025/26 season.

Old friends

This will be the third meeting between Barça and Vissel Kobe. In the two previous matches, played in 2019 and 2023, the blaugrana came out on top with 2-0 victories on both occasions. The 2023 match was particularly memorable, as it served as Andrés Iniesta’s farewell game from the Japanese club he had joined in 2018.

This latest friendly not only strengthens the bond between the two clubs but also gives Japanese fans the chance to witness Barça’s new generation of stars. Moreover, the match forms part of Vissel Kobe’s 30th anniversary celebrations, adding a commemorative touch to the event.

It's a game that sure to deliver a sporting and cultural spectacle that reinforces FC Barcelona's presence in Asia and lays the first stone on a path toward yet more titles for this extraordinarily promising set of young players.