Barcelona have confirmed they will not travel to Peru this December for a potential friendly, according to several outlets. Scheduling conflicts and rest requirements for players made it unfeasible to fit the game before the end of the year.
The original plan was for the Blaugrana to face either Universitario de Deportes or the Peruvian national team. However, the date clashed with their final La Liga fixture before the winter break, set for December 20 against Villarreal. That match, initially intended to be played in Miami, still lacks an official venue.
Logistical hurdles and player welfare were reportedly key in the club’s decision. With the Villarreal game falling so late in December, the squad would not have enough time to travel to South America, play, and return while observing the mandatory rest period required by Spain’s footballers’ association (AFE).
Even so, the idea of visiting Peru has not been abandoned entirely. Reports indicate there is interest in reviving the proposal for February or March 2026, during an international break, or at the end of that season if Barcelona do not reach the UEFA Champions League final. Organizers in Peru had previously offered a “difficult to refuse” fee of around €7-8 million, and Barcelona could strike that deal once a suitable date is confirmed.
The potential payday is notable. With ongoing Camp Nou renovations limiting matchday revenue, Barcelona have been exploring profitable exhibition games abroad to help stabilize their finances. Club president Joan Laporta has also been looking for new opportunities to recover income lost after the cancellation of the planned Miami league game earlier this year.
Another option remains on the table: a possible friendly in Casablanca, Morocco, before Christmas. This trip would be shorter and easier to manage, it has a possible logistical hurdle: the Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on December 21. Any match would have to finish before December 22 to comply with AFE regulations.
