Budapest to host Real Madrid and Ferencváros in pre-season friendly

By Rohan Gupta — 7 August 2026 — 3 min read

Real Madrid’s Pre-Season Preparations Continue

Real Madrid is set to continue its pre-season preparations with a friendly match against Ferencváros this Saturday. The encounter will take place at the Groupama Arena in Budapest, Hungary. This fixture is a significant part of manager José Mourinho‘s summer schedule as the team gears up for the 2026-27 season.

The Spanish giants are gradually intensifying their training regimen, with their La Liga debut scheduled for August 22 against Espanyol Barcelona. The match against Ferencváros provides another opportunity for Mourinho to refine his tactical approach and integrate new players into the squad.

Real Madrid has already engaged in several pre-season matches. They secured two victories against Alcorcon and Leganés. Following these wins, they faced Fiorentina, resulting in a 2-2 draw. The upcoming game against Ferencváros is seen as a crucial step in strengthening the team’s cohesion and match fitness.

The schedule for Real Madrid remains busy, with further matches planned. They are set to play Deportivo La Coruña on August 12, followed by a match against Schalke 04 a few days later. These fixtures are designed to help players accumulate playing time and regain their rhythm before the start of the new La Liga season.

Squad Details and Player Integration

José Mourinho has announced the squad for the friendly against Ferencváros, which includes a mix of established players and young talents. While several international players have not yet returned to Valdebebas, their return is anticipated soon, with key players like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham expected in the Spanish capital on Monday.

Among the established players in the squad are Antonio Rüdiger, Bernardo Silva, Vinicius Junior, and Brahim Diaz. New signings such as Denzel Dumfries and Bernardo Silva are also expected to feature, alongside players like Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Güler, who will be looking to build rhythm for the upcoming season.

Mourinho has also called up several young talents, highlighting the club’s focus on integrating youth into the first team. Javi Navarro, who previously impressed in the Youth League, has been included in the squad again. Dean Huijsen is also returning after missing the previous match.

The full squad for Real Madrid includes:

• Goalkeepers: Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Javi Navarro.
• Defenders: Trent, Álvaro Carreras, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Dumfries, Joan Martínez, Lamini, Mario Rivas.
• Midfielders: Camavinga, Valverde, Arda Güler, Bernardo Silva, Cestero, Lacosta, Alexis Ciria.
• Forwards: Vinicius Junior, Brahim, Endrick, Carlos Espí, Daniel Yáñez.

Ferencváros’s Challenge and Match Atmosphere

For Ferencváros, the match against Real Madrid presents a significant opportunity to test their capabilities against one of Europe’s most successful clubs. The Hungarian champions have already commenced their domestic and European commitments, suggesting they will bring a higher level of match sharpness to the friendly.

Having made a strong start to their UEFA Europa League qualifying campaign, Ferencváros will aim to leverage that momentum against their elite opponents. They are expected to adopt an organised defensive strategy, looking to frustrate Real Madrid and create opportunities through counter-attacks.

The atmosphere at the Groupama Arena is anticipated to be vibrant, with a packed home crowd expected to welcome Real Madrid for the first time. This environment is likely to resemble a competitive European night rather than a typical pre-season friendly, adding to the intrigue of the match.

While it is a friendly, the game holds importance for both teams. For Ferencváros, it is a rare chance to measure themselves against global football royalty. For Real Madrid, it is another vital step in ensuring they are fully prepared for the challenges of the 2026-27 season, with the match scheduled for Saturday.

Source: bbc.co.uk