Spain’s football giants discovered their Copa del Rey Round of 32 opponents on Tuesday as the draw was conducted at the headquarters of the Royal Spanish Football Federation in Las Rozas. Real Madrid will travel to face third-tier side CF Talavera, while defending champions Barcelona have been drawn against CD Guadalajara, setting up intriguing David versus Goliath encounters in Spain’s premier domestic cup competition.
The draw took place at 1:00 PM CET in the Luis Aragonés Hall at the Ciudad del Fútbol, marking the entry point for the four clubs who participated in the Spanish Super Cup—Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Club, and Atletico Madrid. These teams missed the opening two rounds of the Copa del Rey due to their involvement in the prestigious tournament held in Saudi Arabia earlier this season.
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Real Madrid’s Third-Tier Test
Real Madrid will make a short trip south to face CF Talavera at Estadio El Prado, a modest 5,000-capacity venue that will be packed to the rafters when Los Blancos come to town. Talavera, currently bottom of the Primera Federación (Spain’s third tier) at the time of the draw, earned their place in the Round of 32 with a creditable 2-1 victory over Segunda División side Málaga in the previous round.
For Real Madrid, this tie represents an opportunity to rotate the squad and give fringe players valuable minutes while maintaining focus on their La Liga title challenge and Champions League ambitions. However, the single-leg knockout format of the Copa del Rey means there is no room for complacency, as lower-league teams have historically produced giant-killing performances in this competition.
Real Madrid, who have won the Copa del Rey 20 times, trail only Athletic Club (24 titles) and Barcelona (32 titles) in the all-time standings. Under manager Carlo Ancelotti, Los Blancos will be eager to add to their trophy haul and potentially set up a Clásico showdown in the later rounds.
Barcelona’s Journey to Guadalajara
Defending champions Barcelona face what appears to be a straightforward assignment on paper, but the circumstances make it anything but routine. The Catalan giants will travel most of the way to the Spanish capital to face CD Guadalajara—not to be confused with the famous Mexican club of the same name—at the 6,000-capacity Estadio Pedro Escartín.
Guadalajara, another third-tier outfit, secured their place in this round with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ceuta. The modest venue will provide an intimate atmosphere vastly different from Barcelona’s usual surroundings at the Camp Nou or temporary home at Montjuïc.
Barcelona enter the competition as holders after claiming their 32nd Copa del Rey title last season as part of a historic domestic treble under Hansi Flick. The final saw them defeat Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in a thrilling encounter. Pedri opened the scoring for the Blaugrana, but quick-fire goals from Aurélien Tchouaméni and Kylian Mbappé turned the match around. Ferran Torres equalized in the 84th minute before Jules Koundé struck the unlikely winner with just four minutes of extra time remaining.
Other Notable Pairings
The draw has produced several fascinating matchups beyond the headline fixtures involving Real Madrid and Barcelona. Atletico Madrid will face Atletico Baleares, the only surviving team from the Segunda Federación (fourth tier). The Mallorcan side has been the story of the early rounds, having knocked out top-flight side Espanyol 1-0 in the previous round, demonstrating that underdogs can thrive in this competition.
Athletic Club, the 2023-24 Copa del Rey champions with 24 titles to their name, will travel to Ourense. Real Betis face Real Murcia, while Real Sociedad have been drawn against Eldense. Other intriguing ties include Deportivo La Coruña versus Mallorca, Sporting versus Valencia, and Deportivo Alavés against Sevilla.
Format and Schedule
The Round of 32 matches will be played as single-leg knockout ties between Tuesday, December 16, and Thursday, December 18, 2025—strategically scheduled before the final weekend of La Liga fixtures in 2025. All matches will take place at the home ground of the lower-ranked team, maintaining the Copa del Rey tradition of giving smaller clubs the advantage of hosting Spain’s elite sides.
In cases where two teams from the same division are drawn together, the team whose ball was drawn first from the pot will host the match. The ties will include extra time and penalty shootouts if necessary to determine winners, as there are no two-legged affairs at this stage of the competition.
Notably, VAR will not be available for Round of 32 matches. Video assistant refereeing will only be introduced from the Round of 16 onwards, adding an extra element of drama and controversy to these early knockout encounters.
Historical Context and Competition Prestige
The Copa del Rey, now in its 124th edition, has recovered much of its essence and prestige in recent years. The competition holds significant importance beyond domestic glory—the winner automatically qualifies for the Europa League, while both finalists earn places in next season’s Spanish Super Cup.
The 2025-26 final is scheduled for April 25, 2026, at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Seville, a venue that has hosted the showpiece event for the past six seasons. The 70,000-capacity stadium will provide a spectacular setting for what promises to be another memorable conclusion to Spain’s oldest football competition.
Barcelona’s dominance in Copa del Rey history is unmatched, with their 32 titles significantly ahead of Athletic Club’s 24 and Real Madrid’s 20. Atletico Madrid sit fourth with 10 victories. Barcelona enjoyed particularly prolific periods in the 1980s and 2010s, winning 13 finals across those two decades alone. Their first triumph came in 1910, marking the beginning of a storied relationship with the competition.
Path to Glory
The 32 qualified teams represent Spain’s football pyramid at its finest, with 17 clubs from La Liga, 9 from the Segunda División, 5 from the Primera Federación, and 1 from the Segunda Federación. This diverse mix ensures the Copa del Rey maintains its reputation as a competition where dreams can come true for smaller clubs while providing Spain’s giants with stern examinations.
For Real Madrid and Barcelona, the Copa del Rey offers an opportunity to secure silverware and build momentum. Both clubs will field strong enough teams to progress while managing squad rotation carefully, knowing that league and European commitments remain paramount.
The round of 16 is scheduled for the midweek slot around January, meaning teams must navigate their Round of 32 ties successfully to remain in contention for a trophy that continues to captivate Spanish football. With the draw now complete, attention turns to the matches themselves, where history suggests that surprises are never far away in the Copa del Rey.
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FAQs
When will the Copa del Rey Round of 32 matches be played?
The Copa del Rey Round of 32 matches are scheduled between Tuesday, December 16, and Thursday, December 18, 2025, before the final weekend of La Liga fixtures in 2025. All ties will be played as single-leg knockout matches at the home grounds of the lower-ranked teams.
Where will Real Madrid play their Copa del Rey Round of 32 match?
Real Madrid will travel to face CF Talavera at Estadio El Prado, a 5,000-capacity venue in Talavera de la Reina. The third-tier side earned their place by defeating Málaga 2-1 in the previous round and will host Los Blancos in what promises to be a sold-out atmosphere.
Who did Barcelona draw in the Copa del Rey Round of 32?
Defending champions Barcelona were drawn against CD Guadalajara, a third-tier club from the Primera Federación. The match will take place at the 6,000-capacity Estadio Pedro Escartín, with Barcelona traveling close to the Spanish capital for the encounter.
Will VAR be used in the Copa del Rey Round of 32?
No, VAR will not be available for Round of 32 matches in the Copa del Rey. Video assistant refereeing will only be introduced from the Round of 16 onwards, meaning these early knockout ties will rely on on-field officials’ decisions without technological assistance.
How many Copa del Rey titles have Barcelona and Real Madrid won?
Barcelona lead the all-time Copa del Rey standings with 32 titles, significantly ahead of Real Madrid’s 20 victories. Athletic Club sits second with 24 titles, while Atletico Madrid has won the competition 10 times. Barcelona won last season’s title, defeating Real Madrid 3-2 after extra time in the final.
