Barcelona’s Pre-Season Plans Are in Chaos – Here Is Why

Spanish champions Barcelona have cancelled their pre-season trip to Japan after falling out with the promoters of the event. 

The Blaugrana were scheduled to take on J-League side Vissel Kobe in their first pre-season game of the season on July 27.

Barcelona cited “serious breach of contract” as the reason behind the cancellation.

Barcelona Cancel Japan Pre-Season Tour After Fallout With Promoters

Fourteen hours before they were scheduled to fly out, Barcelona announced they had to abandon their pre-season trip to Japan. Barca initially cited a breach of contract. We now know that it was due to non-payment from one of the promoters.

South Korean business D-Drive is overseeing Barcelona’s pre-season tour. But the firm has put the blame on subcontractor Yasuda. As per D-Drive (via Marca), Yasuda neither paid nor provided the necessary documentation.

🚨✅ OFFICIAL Satement from the organizing company of Barcelona's Tour in Korea and Japan blaming Yasuda group for not paying money and alleging to forge documents. pic.twitter.com/FZq9KW4VPw

— Bᴀʀᴄ̧ᴀVᴇʀsᴇ (@BarcaVerse_) July 23, 2025

D-Drive Accuses Yasuda of ‘Intentional Fraud’

D-Drive sided with Barcelona, saying they were right to cancel the trip to Japan. They have also accused Japanese firm Yasuda of providing “falsified” documents.

“Barcelona made the correct and responsible decision to cancel the match in Japan,” a D-Drive representative said.

“We will take legal action against the responsible Japanese entities to seek damages.”

The statement added:

“D-DRIVE was scheduled to receive full payment for the match today; however, the funds ultimately failed to arrive. Instead, the Yasuda Group has repeatedly provided invalid and falsified documents, deceiving us by falsely claiming that the payment had already been transferred to Korea. We have obtained an audio recording from a Yasuda Group employee stating that their CEO ultimately did not send the money, clearly confirming intentional fraud.”

Is Barcelona’s Pre-Season Tour Cancelled?

Barcelona have pulled out of the first leg of their pre-season tour. However, the Blaugrana are still open to competing in the rest of the matches. After the game in Japan, they were scheduled to fly out to South Korea for the matches against FC Seoul (July 31) and Daegu FC (August 4).

After cancelling the game against Vissel Kobe, Rafa Yuste confirmed the club were working to go to Korea.

“We are working to go to Korea,” he said (via Jijantes).

“We are not going to Japan because they have not respected the club; we defend the club’s interests.”

Marcus Rashford Barca Pre-Season Debut Delayed

Barcelona’s pre-season abandonment came shortly after they announced Marcus Rashford as a new signing.

📞 "Yeah… It’s official."
Rashford follows in Lineker’s footsteps. pic.twitter.com/ZvbnDAtbax

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) July 23, 2025

Rashford, who was one of the three priority sales for Manchester United, is looking for a fresh chance. He has joined Hansi Flick’s squad and is set to participate in Barca’s pre-season. Considering he is fit and the South Korea tour is not scrapped, the 27-year-old could make his unofficial debut in Seoul on July 31.

Barcelona begin their La Liga campaign with a clash against Mallorca on August 16.

Rashford will be eager to build momentum before the trip to Son Moix. With several forwards vying for a place in the starting XI, his pre-season showings could prove crucial in shaping his role for the opener.