What was supposed to be a high-profile stop on FC Barcelona’s pre-season tour has turned into a public embarrassment. The Catalan giants were scheduled to fly to Japan tomorrow to face Vissel Kobe in a much-anticipated friendly this Sunday — but that plan has now been scrapped. ❌✈️

In a surprising turn of events, the match promoter abruptly canceled the agreement, forcing Barça to suspend their entire trip. A devastating blow not only from a sporting perspective, but also in terms of global image and commercial strategy.

This unexpected cancellation adds to a growing list of complications in what was already shaping up to be a tricky summer for the club. With financial constraints hampering transfer activity and uncertainty surrounding key players, Barcelona can hardly afford PR missteps like this one.

The scrapped match against Vissel Kobe was meant to be more than just a warm-up game. It carried symbolic weight — a return to Japan, the home of Barça legend Andrés Iniesta’s final club, and an opportunity to engage with a loyal fanbase in Asia. Now, that opportunity is lost.

The reasons behind the promoter’s last-minute decision remain unclear. Was it a logistical failure? A breakdown in negotiations? One thing is certain: Barcelona’s international planning is now under the microscope.

As the Flick era begins, the club faces turbulence before the season even kicks off. For a team chasing stability on and off the pitch, this episode is another unwanted detour on the road back to the top.