Real Madrid begins a new era under coach Álvaro Arbeloa with a Copa del Rey match against Albacete on January 14, 2026. The match is part of the round of 16 in the Copa del Rey 2025/26, played at the historic Estadio Carlos Belmonte in Albacete. Madrid, coming off a loss in the Spanish Supercup final to Barcelona and currently second in La Liga, faces a lower division team that has previously eliminated Celta Vigo and Leganés in the tournament. Arbeloa's squad will feature a mix of first-team players and seven youth academy players, with several key figures resting due to a busy schedule. The match is significant as it marks Arbeloa's debut and a chance for Madrid to advance further in the cup, while Albacete aims for a historic quarter-final appearance. The game will be broadcast in the US on ESPN Deportes and streaming platforms, and in Mexico on Sky Sports. The event has generated high local enthusiasm, with fans eager to see if Albacete can pull off an upset against one of Spain’s football giants.