Liverpool and Barcelona Reportedly Eyeing Surprise Friendly in Kenya

Outgoing English Premier League champions Liverpool could potentially take on Spanish giants Barcelona in a friendly match in Nairobi, as part of their preparations for the 2026-27 season.

The Reds have already confirmed a tour of the United States in late July and early August, where they will face Sunderland, Wrexham, and Leeds United in Nashville, New York, and Chicago, respectively.

However, a report from Spanish outlet Sport suggests an additional glamour tie against the La Liga powerhouse could take place in the Kenyan capital on August 8.

“After considering the various options, the most likely choice is a 15-day training camp in England,” the outlet wrote about Barcelona’s pre-season plans.

“This option would allow the team to combine excellent facilities with a demanding competitive environment. During this stay, a friendly match is planned for July 30th in Birmingham, and adding another match in England is also a possibility.

“Once the training camp is over, the club is considering two options to continue the tour. The first would be to travel to Nairobi to face Liverpool FC on August 8th, in a highly anticipated match. The other option would be to play a match in Morocco on August 5th against a local team, an alternative also being considered due to its proximity,” the report further says.

While this is still subject to confirmation, a match between the two European heavyweights would be a huge draw for fans in Kenya and East Africa as the clubs are popular and have some of the world’s top players.

The most suitable venue for such a match in Nairobi would potentially be the Talanta Stadium which is in the final stages of construction as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

If indeed it happens, it would be their first meeting since Liverpool's historic 4-0 comeback victory in the 2019 UEFA Champions League semi-final at Anfield. Barcelona are also exploring an alternative friendly in Morocco on August 5 against a local team before returning to Spain for their traditional Joan Gamper Trophy match.

Liverpool's pre-season schedule is complicated by the 2026 World Cup, which concludes on July 19, just days before their US tour begins on July 25 against Sunderland. The availability of key players could be affected, with as many as 11 first-team stars potentially involved in the latter stages of the tournament for nations like England, France, and Argentina.

Players whose national teams did not qualify, such as Hungary's Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez, are expected to be available from the start. The staggered return of international players may force manager Arne Slot to integrate academy prospects into the squad during the tour and could also influence the timing of any new signings.