The first trophy of 2026 will be decided this week, and the Spanish Super Cup once again serves a very specific purpose on the calendar: testing who arrives ready and who is still fine-tuning pieces. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao meet on Wednesday in a single-match semifinal in Saudi Arabia, in a context that places the two clubs at very different points in their seasons.
Barcelona opens the year as La Liga leaders, unbeaten since November and riding an eight-game winning streak. Athletic, on the other hand, comes in after an uneven stretch in the Spanish league and currently sits outside the Champions League knockout qualification spots.
Barcelona arrives with continuity and confidence
Barcelona begins 2026 maintaining the same standard it closed the previous year with. The La Liga lead and the run of eight straight wins didn’t happen by chance. Hansi Flick’s team has found consistency, especially in how it controls games and limits simple mistakes. The side hasn’t lost since November, which gives the group a rare sense of stability heading into its first match of the year.
The trip to the Super Cup also marks a moment of internal transition. The club travels without a few key names, but without changing its overall structure. Much of the focus before the tournament has been on the goalkeeping position, with Joan García set to play in his first Super Cup after establishing himself as the starter and coming in on the back of solid performances, including against Espanyol. In midfield, there are different options competing for minutes, a situation that reflects fine-tuning rather than a clear issue. Up front, Lewandowski remains the reference point, while younger players provide pace and intensity.
Probable Barcelona lineup: Joan García; Kounde, Cubarsí, Eric Garcia, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Fermín López (Olmo), Raphinha; Ferran Torres.
Athletic Bilbao arrives under pressure after uneven form
Athletic Bilbao enters the Super Cup in a less comfortable position. The team sits eighth in La Liga, has won just once in its last five matches, and is outside the Champions League knockout spots. The numbers help explain the outside skepticism, but they don’t tell the full story.
Ernesto Valverde’s team tends to respond better in knockout-style matches, especially when it isn’t carrying the weight of favoritism. Even with important absences such as Aymeric Laporte, Yuri Berchiche, Unai Egiluz, and Benat Prados, Athletic keeps traits that can trouble more technical opponents, including intensity without the ball, direct play, and speed out wide. Nico and Iñaki Williams remain the main attacking threats, capable of changing a game in just a few touches when space opens up.
Probable Athletic Bilbao lineup: Simon; Gorosabel, Paredes, Vivian, Boiro; Ruiz de Galarreta, Jauregizar; Berenguer, Sancet, Nico Williams; Iñaki Williams.
Where to watch Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup
United Kingdom: TNT Sports 1, discovery+, discovery+ App.
United States: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV, ESPN App.
What is the date and kick-off time for Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup
United Kingdom: 7:00 PM.
United States and Canada (Eastern Time): 3:00 PM.
United States and Canada (Pacific Time): 12:00 PM.