The Primera Federación brings stories of forced reinvention every season. For CD Alba Femenino (historically known as Fundación Albacete), the 2026/27 campaign presents itself as a demanding exercise in resilience and renewal. After narrowly missing out on promotion to Liga F in last season’s playoffs, the Manchegan club faces a complete change of cycle that has affected both its coaching staff and the composition of a dressing room deeply overhauled during the summer market.
Virginia García’s departure from the technical direction closed a period of competitive stability. To lead the new direction, Alba’s board has put their trust in Rubén López. The Galician coach arrives in La Mancha from SE AEM Lleida, a direct rival whom he managed to keep consistently in the upper part of the table despite limited resources. His arrival promises to provide the team with rigorous tactical order and a competitive mentality ideal for maximising a young block.
A reconstruction forced by the market
Fundación Albacete’s main challenge lies in replacing key players who departed over the summer. The migration to other projects in the category—most notably the transfer of several key players to Alhama CF, such as Laura Moreno, Lara Sierra, and goalkeeper Laura Martínez—has forced the sporting department to comb the market for hungry and promising profiles.
Amidst the transformation, Marina Soriano’s figure takes on redoubled weight. The experienced midfielder will fulfill her contract with the Albacete entity and will be the undisputed anchor of the new project on the pitch. Soriano represents the club’s DNA of fight and delivery, assuming the responsibility of integrating incoming youth players and maintaining competitive standards in midfield.
The Ciudad Deportiva Andrés Iniesta will once again be the cornerstone on which safety is built. The facilities on the Barrax road are famous for hosting a loyal and loud fanbase that pushes the team through difficult moments, making the Manchegan ground a highly inhospitable stage for wealthier opponents.
A high-profile start in front of their fans
Rubén López’s new era will officially kick off on the weekend of September 13, 2026, when CD Alba Femenino debuts at home hosting Atlético de Madrid B. A first test of maximum demand that will evaluate the assimilation of new tactical concepts and the adaptation of the restructured Manchegan squad against the pace of one of the division’s strongest reserve sides.
The road will be long, concluding in May 2027 by hosting Athletic Club B. In a competitive format where the fight to avoid relegation is expected to be less stressful this year due to the restructuring of the category into two groups, Alba trusts that the lack of early urgency will allow their young squad to mature and establish themselves in the upper part of the table to fight, without complexes, to be among the best.
