Barcelona starts England pre‑season camp as Valencia beats Derby County
FC Barcelona arrived at East Midlands Airport on 27 July 2026 and transferred by bus to the English Football Association’s training centre at St George’s Park, Birmingham. The squad will train there until 3 August and will play two behind‑closed‑doors friendlies: the first against Birmingham City on 31 July at St Andrew’s Stadium and a second against Preston North End. The squad list includes goalkeeper Marc‑André ter Stegen and midfielder Frenkie de Jong, who travels despite a knee injury that is expected to sideline him for four to five months.
At the same venue, Valencia CF held a closed‑door pre‑season match against Derby County of the English Championship. Arnaut Danjuma scored both goals in a 2‑1 victory, giving Valencia its second win of the summer. The match was played in two 60‑minute halves. Valencia will complete its English stage with a friendly against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on the following Saturday before returning to Spain for the final phase of its preparation.
Entities: Arnaut Danjuma · Aston Villa Football Club · Birmingham City Football Club · FC Barcelona · Frenkie de Jong · Hansi Flick · Joan Laporta · Marc‑Andre ter Stegen · Preston North End · Real Sociedad · St George’s Park · Valencia CF
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Barcelona's first pre‑season friendly is against Birmingham City on 31 July 2026 at St Andrew’s Stadium. (club announcement)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Barcelona will also play a behind‑closed‑doors friendly against Preston North End. (club schedule)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] No Barcelona executives will accompany the team at the start of the stage; former player Deco arrives on 29 July and president Joan Laporta on 31 July. (executive presence)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Barcelona's board will hold a meeting on 28 July 2026 to discuss extending credit for the Espai Barça project. (board meeting)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Barcelona arrived at East Midlands Airport on 27 July 2026. (reported by club statements)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Midfielder Frenkie de Jong will travel with the team despite a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for four to five months. (coach statement)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Barcelona will train at St George’s Park until 3 August 2026. (club schedule)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Goalkeeper Marc‑André ter Stegen is included in the England squad despite his pending loan to Ajax. (squad selection)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Valencia’s match against Derby County was played behind closed doors with two 60‑minute halves. (club match report)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Arnaut Danjuma scored both goals in Valencia’s 2‑1 win over Derby County at St George’s Park. (club match report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Valencia will play a friendly against Stoke City at the Bet365 Stadium on the following Saturday. (club schedule)