Copa del Rey: Barcelona already knows four of its possible rivals in the round of 16

The 2025-26 Copa del Rey already has 12 of the 16 clubs qualified for the round of 16. In addition to FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético de Madrid, five other LaLiga clubs and four from the Liga Hypermotion have secured their qualification for the next phase, in which the four teams participating in the 2026 Spanish Super Cup will once again have an advantage in the draw

According to the Cup regulations, the four clubs participating in the Super Cup will face lower-ranked rivals in the round of 32 and round of 16. Furthermore, they can only meet each other from the quarterfinals onwards, the last knockout round played as a single match.

With the qualification of Deportivo La Coruña, Cultural Leonesa, Albacete and Racing de Santander to the next round, both Barça and Real Madrid, Atlético and Athletic (if they defeat Ourense) are guaranteed to avoid facing a LaLiga team in the next phase.

Barça secures a Second Division opponent in the round of 16

Deportivo advanced to the round of 16 after eliminating Mallorca (1-0), the same result with which Cultural surprised Levante. Albacete, for its part, eliminated Celta de Vigo on penalties (2-2, 3-0 p.), while Racing did the same against Villarreal at El Sardinero (2-1)

The Liga Hypermotion clubs will, by default, face any of the 2026 Spanish Super Cup semi-finalists. Barça secured their qualification by defeating Guadalajara (0-2). Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid had a much tougher time against **Talavera** (2-3) and **Atlético Baleares** (2-3)In that regard, Barcelona's next opponent in the Cup could be:

1. Deportivo La Coruña
2. Cultural Leonesa
3. Albacete
4. Racing de Santander

Ourense, Murcia, Burgos, or Granada could be added to this list, provided any of them manage to eliminate Athletic, Getafe, Betis, or Rayo, respectively. From the quarterfinals onwards, there will be no draw limitations regarding single-leg ties.

Regarding LaLiga clubs, Elche, Valencia, Real Sociedad, Osasuna, and Alavés also secured their qualification for the round of 16, but none of them will be Barça's rival in the next phase

When will the Copa del Rey Round of 16 draw take place?

The team led by Hansi Flick will learn their next opponent in the Copa del Rey on January 7, 2026, at the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, the official headquarters of the RFEF. The draw will have to wait until that date due to the postponement of the Granada vs Rayo match, which will be played on Tuesday the 6th. 

The round of 16 ties, also single-leg matches, will take place between Tuesday, January 13 and Thursday, January 15, right after the Spanish Super Cup is played in Saudi Arabia. Barça, after their victory in Guadalajara, has won 52 of their last 57 Copa del Rey ties.

King's Cup Round of 32 Results

•  👉Enjoy the latest news from the Copa del Rey 2025-2026 on FCBN.