Barcelona finalise preparations for La Liga title defence

Barcelona bring the curtain down on their pre-season with a final training session on Saturday before Hansi Flick's side travel to Elche for the opening fixture of the 2026-27 La Liga campaign. The Catalans launch their defence of the Spanish title in unusual circumstances, with their first three league games squeezed into the space of just eight days. Addressing the press, the Barça boss made his intentions plain: "We want to start with a win."

Squad confirmed for the trip to Elche

Flick has confirmed a travelling party of 23 players for Sunday's clash, which kicks off at 9.30pm CET (8.30pm BST/WAT in the UK & Nigeria, 3.30pm ET and 12.30pm PT in the USA).

The squad in full: Goalkeepers Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Eder Aller; Defenders João Cancelo, Pau Cubarsí, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Álvaro Cortés, Jordi Pesquer; Midfielders Gavi, Fermín López, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Brian Fariñas, Xavi Espart; Forwards Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Hamza Abdelkarim.

There is no place for Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó or Héctor Fort, all three left out on the eve of expected departures before the close of the transfer window. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji miss out through knee injuries, while new signing Rodri will not join group training until Monday and therefore misses this one.

Predicted starting XI

A likely 4-3-3 line-up has been tipped: Joan in goal, with a back four of Eric, Christensen, Martín and Cancelo, a midfield trio of Fermín, Bernal and Espart behind a front three of Yamal, Hamza and Raphinha.

Registrations complete with no repeat of last summer's problems

Barcelona have moved quickly to avoid any repeat of last season's registration headaches. Rodri, Gordon and Adeyemi were all inscribed with the Spanish league on Friday, with João Cancelo's permanent registration from Al-Hilal completed on Saturday.

"We want to start with a win."

All eyes are now on Sunday evening in Elche, where Flick's reshaped Barcelona will begin the defence of their crown.