The final squad announcements for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are complete and 16 players from FC Barcelona will travel to play in the tournament. The huge national contingent has cemented Barcelona as one of the most represented clubs in the competition and this undoubtedly presents a problem with the club's pre-season plans.
The list comprises a blend of experienced mainstays, academy graduates, and new summer signings.
Squad breakdown by nation
The Spanish national team easily makes up the bulk of the call ups. Manager Luis de la Fuente has picked eight players from Barcelona, heavily reliant on the chemistry built up under Flick this season.
Spain (8 Players)
- Lamine Yamal: The teenager arrives at his first World Cup as a guaranteed starter and one of Spain's focal points in attack.
- Pedri: He will control the tempo of the Spanish midfield after managing his fitness perfectly through the domestic campaign.
- Pau Cubarsi: Teenage center back secured his spot due to a hugely disciplined defensive season for Barcelona.
- Dani Olmo: Provides an elite option in attacking midfield or as a false 9 due to his versatility in the final third.
- Ferran Torres: Despite ongoing discussions regarding his future at the club, it didn't affect his selection in the Spanish national team.
- Gavi: Aggressive pressing and intelligent recovery timing brings intensity to the rotation in midfield.
- Eric Garcia: Dependable at the back, he can also cover full back when needed.
- Joan Garcia: One of the best goalkeepers in the world, but on standby to represent the national team.
The international stars (8 Players)
The remaining eight call-ups are drawn from some of Europe's biggest nations as well as South America and the Catalan giants' newest attacking signing.
- Anthony Gordon (England): New signing to the Catalan side, the winger makes his first trip to a World Cup with England.
- Marcus Rashford (England): He joins Gordon in the English attack. The attacker hit the ground running under Hansi Flick's attacking setup this year, but still has his future unresolved.
- Raphinha (Brazil): Remains a key tactical player in attack for Brazil due to his work rate and direct ball carrying.
- Jules Kounde (France): The right back of choice for Didier Deschamps going into the tournament, having made 45 appearances for Barcelona in the past season.
- Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands): He will anchor the Dutch midfield after returning to full fitness following his ankle injury sustained at the end of the campaign.
- Ronald Araujo (Uruguay): The bullish center back will captain Uruguay's back line as part of their high-pressing, physical approach.
- Joao Cancelo (Portugal): Providing elite quality on either flank with his range of passing and delivery to forwards.
- Hamza Abdelkarim: Despite still being a youth player for Barcelona, Hamza Abdelkarim has been selected for the Egypt World Cup squad. The 18-year old will look to impress and declare his name on the global stage.
The tactical cost for Hansi Flick
Though this selection demonstrates the quality of Barcelona's current squad, it will no doubt cause significant disruption to the early summer training schedule. As many as 16 players will be absent and it falls to La Masia to supply a new wave of prospects to complete the pre-season roster.
It is the workload on the main players that must be carefully monitored. Pedri, Yamal and othrers have accumulated over ten months of non-stop action and the medical department need to work closely with international teams to manage any post-tournament fatigue.
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