Xavi Hernandez has successfully cleared the obstacles blocking his travel to the United States and is set to leave for the country this afternoon. Ahead of the opening match of Barcelona’s United States tour, the head coach’s absence created a notable absence on the roster, as he could not secure permission to join the squad for the campaign on schedule. The situation had been a source of tension for the club, since the manager had hoped to be present from the very start of the tour to observe and guide the team, set the tone for the trip, and coordinate tactics in person just as the team prepared to face fresh competition in America.
In recent years, Xavi has made several trips to Iran and has been involved with the Qatar club Al Sadd in the past, but those experiences did not translate into a straightforward visa approval for entry into the United States. The standard visa process remained a barrier, and this prevented him from traveling with the squad on the day of departure. The Barcelona leadership anticipated a positive resolution on Monday, aiming to have the coach join the group for the weekend, yet that expectation did not materialize. The delay meant that the coach would not be able to arrive with the team in time for the scheduled events and could not be present on the bench for the opening proceedings, including the clash against Inter Miami where other staff members, including Oscar, stepped in to manage operations and support the players as needed. The team pressed on, relying on the interim staff to ensure a smooth start to the tour and to maintain the high standards expected of the coaching team during this preparatory period for the season ahead.
To resolve the travel issue, Xavi traveled to Madrid to pursue the necessary visa from the embassy, then proceeded to Barajas airport to board a flight bound for the United States. The plan was for him to arrive just in time to participate in the team’s activities and be behind the bench as the squad begins its North American schedule, including the anticipated first leg of a highly watched Clasico in Las Vegas against Real Madrid. The timing was delicate, with the manager hoping to synchronize his arrival with the team’s on-field preparations so that he could evaluate players, oversee tactical drills, and communicate directly with the squad during a critical phase of the preseason. The trip also carried a potential personal milestone for several players, with Lewandowski and others awaiting chances to make their competitive debuts or experience key moments in these exhibition matches, following up on recent appearances that saw players like Pique and Ferran Torres participate in earlier training sessions and friendlies while others were unavailable for specific matches against Olot or Inter Miami due to scheduling or visa constraints.