RFEF suspends all 24 Copa del Rey first-round matches after Toledo train crash

Suspension of the first round

The Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) has suspended all 24 first-round Copa del Rey matches scheduled for Wednesday, 28 October 2026, after a train accident early that morning in Urda, a town in the province of Toledo. Reports say the collision, which involved two trains, left several dozen people dead. The matches had been due to be played on Wednesday evening, with kick-offs between 19:00 and 21:00. Fixtures included ties involving LaLiga EA Sports clubs Valencia CF, Real Betis, Deportivo Alavés, RC Celta and Levante UD, and the suspended list ran from Utebo against CE Sabadell to Tavernes against Valencia CF. The federation has not yet set new dates for the postponed games.

The federation's response

The RFEF said the suspension was made "as a sign of respect and solidarity" with all the victims, and that it would announce the new schedule and final kick-off times for the postponed matches later. Earlier, the federation had expressed its shock at the accident and sent its deepest condolences to the families and relatives of the dead. In its statement it also wrote:

“The great family of Spanish football remains united in grief over this tragedy, placing itself at the disposal of the authorities to help the victims of this devastating accident.”

The federation said it stood ready to support the authorities in assisting the victims, and the statement described the accident as tragic from the first line.

Other events cancelled

Milagros Tolón, the minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports, cancelled her attendance at the presentation of the winter sports teams at the Consejo Superior de Deportes (CSD). The football federation also called off the renewal ceremony for futsal national coach Jesús Velasco, while the basketball federation (FEB) cancelled a press appearance in Oviedo by women's national team coach Miguel Méndez, who was due to announce the senior squad. The presentation of the II Concurso Hípico de Saltos Ciudad de Sevilla, a show-jumping event due to run from 5 to 8 November at the Hipódromo de Pineda, was cancelled as well. The Spanish handball federation (RFEB) postponed the first-round Copa del Rey tie between Anaitasuna and Proin Sevilla, which was due to be played that evening. Sports bodies have also multiplied messages of condolence and support for those affected.

Rail disruption and Thursday fixtures

The collision left the rail line linking Madrid and Andalusia impassable, which affects the travel of several teams and their supporters. The disruption to the rail network is one of the reasons the federation gave for its decision, alongside the scale of the tragedy. Fourteen first-round matches scheduled for Thursday, 29 October, are not yet suspended but could be added to the postponement, depending on how the situation develops.

Suspended, 28 October 202624

Possibly affected, 29 October 202614

Suspended, 28 October 2026

24 matches

Possibly affected, 29 October 2026

14 matches

Data from the article text

The federation has not yet published a new calendar for the postponed games, so the rescheduling of the 24 Wednesday matches and the status of the Thursday fixtures remain open.