Supercopa de España 2026 Semifinals: Barcelona Favored Against Athletic Club, Real Madrid Faces Atlético

The 2026 Supercopa de España semifinals commence on January 7 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, featuring top Spanish clubs battling for the coveted title in a tournament that's now firmly established in the football calendar. The competition marks its sixth consecutive edition in Saudi Arabia since 2020, incorporating the top two LaLiga teams and Copa del Rey finalists, and has evolved into a lucrative event generating approximately 40 to 51 million euros for the Spanish Football Federation.

Barcelona, the defending champions and current LaLiga leaders with 49 points from 16 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses, faces Athletic Club. Barcelona enters as the tournament favorite, bolstered by recent victories against Villarreal and RCD Espanyol, and a strong squad despite injuries to key players like Gavi and Christensen. Athletic Club, positioned eighth in LaLiga with 24 points, is eager to improve after recent struggles, including a draw against CA Osasuna. Key offensive threats for Athletic include Nico, Iñaki Williams, and Alex Berenguer.

Simultaneously, the Madrid derby semifinal will pitch Real Madrid against Atlético de Madrid. Atlético, trailing in league standings and under pressure to rebound, won their previous LaLiga meeting against Real Madrid by a 5-2 scoreline, making the match especially unpredictable. Real Madrid faces the significant setback of missing Kylian Mbappé due to a knee sprain, putting into question their attacking strength and his potential availability for a final should they advance.

The tournament's significance extends beyond silverware, impacting team morale and season momentum. However, it remains contentious due to organizational scrutiny following previous incidents involving female fans and the ongoing debate over the venue's appropriateness. Notably, the Spanish Football Federation benefits financially from the Supercopa, reportedly securing around 40 million euros to support lower-tier football.

The first semifinal between Barcelona and Athletic Club kicks off at 20:00 local time, broadcast on Movistar Plus+ channels. Overall, the 2026 Supercopa de España exemplifies high-stakes Spanish football, blending competitive intensity with important financial and cultural implications for the sport in Spain.