Copa del Rey: 24 ties postponed after deadly Toledo train crash

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has postponed all 24 Copa del Rey first-round matches that were due to be played on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, after two trains collided south of Madrid that morning with fatal consequences. The decision was reported by L'Équipe and kicker, with the German outlet noting that the day's entire cup programme had been called off.

The affected fixtures include Real Betis's trip to Navalcarnero, Celta Vigo's visit to Salamanca and Valencia's tie at Tavernes. Spanish clubs responded with messages of condolence: Real Madrid and Barcelona declared mourning, while Sevilla called off head coach Luis García Plaza's pre-match press conference.

What happened in the Toledo train crash?

The crash happened at about 8:54 local time on 28 October 2026, on the stretch of line near Los Yébenes and Urda, two towns in Toledo province. As reported by GOAL, Europa Press, quoting sources at Spain's Ministry of Transport, said a train run by state operator Renfe hit an Iryo train that had stopped on the track. Several carriages left the rails and some rolled down an embankment beside the line, and high-speed services between Madrid and Andalusia were halted.

Early reports speak of dozens of people killed or injured. No final toll has been published and officials warn the figure may rise as rescue work continues. The cause of the collision and who was responsible have not been officially confirmed; an investigation is under way.

Will Thursday's Copa del Rey games go ahead?

The fate of the Copa del Rey fixtures on Thursday, 29 October 2026, is still unclear. ScoreLab data shows 14 first-round ties scheduled that day. According to Marca, as cited by GOAL, the RFEF has not yet ruled on Thursday's programme or announced a revised schedule for the called-off games.

Why did Sevilla cancel García Plaza's press conference?

Sevilla officially cancelled the press conference Luis García Plaza was due to give at midday on 28 October, out of respect for the victims. According to Mundo Deportivo, the Andalusian side's squad held a minute's silence before training, joined by club president José María del Nido Carrasco. Sevilla's own cup tie away to Sporting de Hortaleza in Alcalá de Henares is part of the Thursday, 29 October 2026 programme.

How did Spanish clubs react?

Real Madrid expressed its sorrow in an official statement, sending condolences to the families of those who died and support to the injured and the emergency teams. Barcelona posted condolences to the victims' families and friends on X and wished the injured a speedy recovery. Atlético Madrid said in its own statement that the club stood with the relatives and friends of those who lost their lives in the Toledo crash. GOAL noted that the clubs' messages of solidarity arrived alongside the federation's decision.

What happens next?

The RFEF is expected to announce new dates for the 24 postponed ties and decide whether the 29 October 2026 fixtures will be played. ScoreLab will update this article once the federation confirms its decision and the revised schedule.