What match has been confirmed?

Cádiz Club de Fútbol will face Orlando Pirates in a friendly on Saturday July 18 at 18:45 at the Ciudad Deportiva Bahía de Cádiz (Puerto Real). The game will be behind closed doors and is part of the 2026‑27 pre‑season plan.

Who are Orlando Pirates and why does it matter?

Orlando Pirates, founded in 1937 and based in the Orlando district of Soweto, are the current champions of South Africa's Premier Soccer League. Playing a South African champion offers Cádiz an international test and a chance to gauge progress under pressure.

How does this friendly fit into the pre‑season schedule?

The club already has seven fixtures lined up, including Barbate on July 15, Leicester on July 22 and a clash with Tenerife on August 1. The match with Orlando Pirates will be the second July date and leaves room for additional games if the coaching staff decides.

What does it mean for the coaching staff?

Head coach Sergio González has said that facing a mix of opponents—from Spanish Segunda teams to an African champion—helps sharpen both defensive shape and attacking patterns. Orlando Pirates will also train in Spain, playing against Córdoba and Las Palmas, raising the overall quality of the preparations.

What comes after the friendly?

After the July 18 fixture, Cádiz will travel to Algeciras for a game against Leicester on July 22 and will close the pre‑season with the Trofeo Carranza against Las Palmas on August 8. Each date is designed to fine‑tune the squad before the league kicks off in August.