FC Barcelona announced on Wednesday the cancellation of its upcoming trip to Japan, where the team was scheduled to play a preseason friendly against Vissel Kobe this Sunday. According to the club, the decision was made due to a “serious contractual breach” by the match promoter. The announcement puts the remainder of Barça’s Asian tour, which includes matches in South Korea, under review.

What Happened to the Japan Friendly?

The team was set to depart for Asia on Thursday to kick off its preseason preparations. The highly anticipated clash with Vissel Kobe, which promised to draw huge fanfare in Japan, was called off due to unresolved issues with the local promoter. Barcelona did not specify the nature of the breach.

In its statement, the club expressed regret and offered apologies to its Japanese fanbase, calling them “one of the most passionate and loyal communities in Asia.”

What About the South Korean Leg?

Although the Japan leg has been scrapped, Barcelona has not ruled out continuing the tour in South Korea. The club stated that it will assess whether to proceed with the remaining friendlies, depending on whether the Korean organizers uphold their contractual obligations.

The planned fixtures are:

• July 31 vs FC Seoul
• August 4 vs Daegu FC

A final decision is expected soon, based on the reliability of the South Korean promoter.

Who Is Behind the Tour?

According to Sport, the tour is being managed by D-Drive, a Seoul-based company led by Ham Seul, who reportedly had ties to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) during the controversial presidency of Luis Rubiales. Former footballer Albert Luque and ex-tennis pro Fernando Soler are also listed as executives.

D-Drive now finds itself at the center of the controversy, raising questions about the viability of the tour and the professionalism behind the organization.

How Could This Impact Barça’s Season?

The cancellation is a major setback for Hansi Flick, who is entering his first season as Barcelona’s head coach. Preseason friendlies are vital to building fitness, testing tactics, and building global fan engagement—especially in key markets like Asia and the United States.

With LaLiga 2025/26 looming, any disruption in the team’s preparation could complicate Flick’s efforts to implement his vision early on.