Copa del Rey

Albacete vs Real Madrid LIVE: Confirmed lineups, with Mbappe absent, for the 2026 Copa del Rey round of 16

Real Madrid visit Albacete in one of the Round of 16 clashes of the Copa del Rey.

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Updated on
January 14, 2026 02:21PM EDT

**© Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images**Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid.

After a turbulent week in which Xabi Alonso stepped down as Real Madrid’s coach, the Merengues visit Albacete with the primary goal of keeping a strong run alive in the Copa del Rey. This match is one of the Round of 16 fixtures, with both teams aiming to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals.

While Vinicius Jr. and the rest of the stars don’t want to lose ground in the domestic league, where they sit second behind Barcelona, they also can’t afford to overlook other competitions such as this cup. Meanwhile, the home team is looking to pull off the upset of the day.

02:20PM

Here’s how Albacete will line up

The home side, aiming to pull off a shock against Madrid, will be represented on the pitch by the following eleven players: Lizoain, Lorenzo, Javi Moreno, C. Neva, Dani B., Melendez, Pacheco, Javi Villar, Capi, Lazo, and Escriche.

02:10PM

Real Madrid’s confirmed starting XI, with Kylian Mbappe absent

Shortly before kickoff, these are the eleven players Alvaro Arbeloa will field: Lunin, Jimenez, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia, Valverde, Cestero, Arda Güller, Mastantuono, Vinicius Jr., and Gonzalo.

The standout story of the day will be the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who, following the lost final against Barcelona and ongoing knee issues, will be rested for this match.

02:00PM

Where will this match be played?

The match between Albacete and Real Madrid will be played at the Carlos Belmonte Stadium, which has a capacity of 17,524 spectators. It is expected to be packed with home fans, who will be hoping for a miracle run into the quarterfinals.

01:40PM

The referee assigned for this match

The official in charge of officiating the match on the pitch will be Víctor García Verdura, with Ivan Caparros handling VAR duties.

01:20PM

Kickoff time and how to watch the match

Albacete vs Real Madrid will get underway at 3:00 PM (ET). You can watch this match live in the United States on ESPN+.

01:00PM

Albacete host Real Madrid in one of the Round of 16 matchups of the Copa del Rey

Welcome everyone to the live blog of the match between Albacete and Real Madrid. Both teams will be fighting for a place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey. Stay tuned for minute-by-minute coverage and key update content of what promises to be a highly entertaining showdown.

Matías Persuh

Matias Persuh is a sports journalist and writer who began his career after graduating with a bachelor's degree in Sports Journalism in 2008. Over the years, he has covered numerous events, including local soccer games, and has conducted interviews with players and coaches. In addition to his writing, Matias has contributed as a columnist on various radio shows. Joining Bolavip US in July 2024 marked a significant step forward in his career, allowing him to continue developing his skills and delivering resonant news and reports to the audience.

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