Controversies and Key Moments as 2026 Supercopa de España Kicks Off in Saudi Arabia
The 2026 Supercopa de España in Saudi Arabia launches amid player absences and criticism over its location, spotlighting mental health returns and ethical debates.
- • The Supercopa de España shifted to a Final Four format held January 7-11 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- • Ronald Araujo returned to Barcelona's squad after a mental health-related absence.
- • Iñaki Williams criticized the tournament's Saudi Arabia location, citing travel and personal challenges.
- • The Spanish Footballers Association has raised human rights concerns but received no formal player complaints.
Key details
The 2026 Supercopa de España has commenced in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant shift with its new Final Four format running from January 7 to 11. This is the first time the tournament, relocated to Saudi Arabia since 2020, is played outside its traditional summer schedule. The semifinals feature FC Barcelona, the reigning champions, and Athletic Club, alongside Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in the other semifinal.
Barcelona arrived with a 24-player squad, including the return of defender Ronald Araujo after a month-long absence attributed to mental health issues following a red card incident in a Champions League match against Chelsea. Notably, Gavi and Andreas Christensen did not make the trip. Athletic Club has a thinner roster because of absences such as Aymeric Laporte. Their player Iñaki Williams openly criticized the tournament's location, voicing concerns about the extensive travel and the challenge it poses to fans, especially given his recent fatherhood. Athletic's coach Ernesto Valverde responded by acknowledging Williams' grievances but pointed to the prestige and financial benefits associated with participation.
The Supercopa's staging in Saudi Arabia continues to stir controversy. The Spanish Footballers Association (AFE) has expressed objections related to human rights and women's rights conditions in the Kingdom. Despite this, the association states it has not received formal complaints from players regarding the tournament setting. The 2026 edition underscores an ongoing effort to internationalize the competition beyond Spain, despite debates over the ethical and logistic ramifications.
Overall, the tournament balances sporting ambition with complex social and political debates, setting the stage for a dynamic event in the heart of Saudi Arabia.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
