Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League meeting with Barcelona will go ahead as planned on October 20, 2026, at 9 p.
m. local time at the Parc des Princes.
France's interior minister has rejected calls to postpone the fixture despite concerns raised by a police union over public unrest.
The match is the third round of the Champions League league phase and pits two of Europe's leading sides against each other.
Police Union Sought Postponement
A representative of the CFTC police union requested that the game be delayed, citing fears of renewed disorder.
Recent demonstrations in France have included clashes between protesters and security forces, along with vandalism and looting.
Those incidents raised concerns about possible disturbances in Paris as thousands of supporters prepare to attend.
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez ruled out any change to the schedule and said other Champions League fixtures are also unaffected.
"A postponement of the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Barça, or of other matches that may be played in the Champions League, is not being considered.
The matches are not in doubt," Nuñez said.
The government has announced no changes to the match schedule, and the fixture remains set for Tuesday evening at the Paris stadium.
Vitinha Plays Down Final Talk
On the sporting side, PSG midfielder Vitinha described Barcelona and his own club as among Europe's strongest teams.
Speaking at a pre-match news conference alongside coach Luis Enrique, he placed PSG, Barcelona and Bayern Munich at the top of the European hierarchy.
"I think PSG and Barça, along with Bayern, are the best teams in Europe right now," Vitinha said.
He said his individual form had been encouraging but did not attribute it solely to his recent goals.
He also stressed that the current stage of the competition makes it too early to describe the meeting as a final.
"I'm in a good place individually, but I don't think it's because I've scored. It's too early to say this matchup is an early final," he said.
"The reality now isn't the same as it will be in May, but it's always a great game.
They're two of Europe's best teams, along with Bayern, and these are always the matches you want to play."
Vitinha acknowledged the quality of Barcelona's young forward Lamine Yamal while emphasizing that the Spanish club's threat extends beyond one player.
"I'm not afraid. It's true that he's one of the best, and what he's doing right now is incredible.
He really is special, but it's unfair to talk only about him at Barcelona. Above all, they're a great team," he said.
The midfielder said both teams were eager to show their current level but rejected the idea that the match would determine their European campaigns.
"We're really looking forward to playing and showing what level PSG and Barça are at, but it's not a final," he said.
Barcelona's pressing and midfield quality will present a challenge, according to Vitinha, who pointed to PSG's first-half performance against Manchester City in their previous encounter.
"We'll see. We have to do things very well, and they're going to press us.
We did very well against City in the first half. We'll see," he said.
He also praised Ousmane Dembélé's leadership and contribution in high-profile matches, describing the forward as a distinctive presence in the squad.
"He's been a leader for a long time. In these kinds of matches, he makes us stronger because of what he brings.
He's unique, and we all know what he's capable of doing," Vitinha said.
Asked about the battle for midfield control, he said both sides possess the quality and pressing intensity to make possession difficult to dominate.
"We'll see who controls more of the game. Both teams want that control, but it's difficult when two teams press so much.
Both are great teams in midfield and overall," he said.
Vitinha also reflected on his development in his fifth year in Paris, crediting the team's progress while acknowledging that further improvement remains possible.
"I can always improve, as Luis Enrique tells me, but I've developed a lot, and I'm proud of what we're doing in Paris.
This is my fifth year, and I hope we keep going like this and winning," he said.
He expressed a preference for a PSG player to win the Ballon d'Or, while acknowledging competition from several leading footballers.
"I think it would be fairer for a PSG player to win it, but it's true that there's a lot of competition and many good players.
I think of Kane, Kylian, Lamine, Olise, but the fairest outcome to me would be a Parisian winning it," he said.
Both clubs will be without players through injury, with PSG missing Nuno Mendes and Barcelona without Eric García and Jules Koundé.
English referee Michael Oliver will officiate, with Italian official Marco Di Bello in the video assistant referee room.
The match remains scheduled for October 20 at 9 p. m.
at the Parc des Princes.
