Hamza in contention to start as Barcelona open Liga at Elche
La Liga returns on Sunday at Martínez Valero, with Hamza Abdelkarim pushing for minutes after his Gamper goal.
FC Barcelona begin their 2026/27 La Liga title defence on Sunday 23 August away to Elche at Estadio Martínez Valero (21:30 CEST). TheSportsDB lists the fixture as event 2506188, kick-off 19:30 UTC.
Matchday 1 was postponed for World Cup clubs, so this Matchday 2 trip is Barça's first league game. Hamza Abdelkarim started the Joan Gamper Trophy, scored on 29 minutes against former club Al Ahly and declined to celebrate.
Hansi Flick must rotate after a compressed preseason. Hamza's four goals in five friendlies — including a brace against Birmingham and strikes versus Basel and Al Ahly — keep him in the conversation to start or come off the bench in Elche.
