The dreams have shifted to the World Cup with La Liga wrapped up with the countdown on.
Only Jules Kounde will definitely be going to the World Cup after France announced their roster, while Roony Bardghji misses out on the Sweden national selection. However, there will be many more Barcelona players expected to go to North America.
Barcelona is one of the best teams in Europe and therefore has many of the star players from across the world. Lamine Yamal and Pedri will star for Spain, Marcus Rashford with England and Raphinha in the famous green and yellow.
Barcelona could have one of the biggest World Cup contingents
There could be around 15 Barca players at the World Cup, representing seven different nations. Evidently, the Spanish contingent will make the most of that number up with the likes of Pedri, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi certainties to make the squad.
As for their rivals, Real Madrid will likely have a similar number of players at the tournament, with their French double act of Kylian Mbappe and Aurélien Tchouaméni confirmed. Other teams in La Liga make up the Spain prelim squad with notable faces from Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad.
Every confirmed Barcelona player who is heading to the World Cup
The confirmed players selected in their respective 26-man squads.
Player | Country | Description |
|---|---|---|
Jules Kounde | France | Competing with Malo Gusto for the right-back role |
Raphinha | Brazil | One of many attacking options selected |
Joao Cancelo | Portugal | Likely to be back-up to Nuno Mendes |
Hamza Abdekarim | Egypt | Surprising addition in the squad |
Marcus Rashford | England | Star makes it into the roster |
Pedri, Gavi, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, Joan Garcia, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Eric Garcia | Spain | All of Barcelona's fit players included while no Real Madrid stars are selected |
Frenkie de Jong | Netherlands | Selected in a strong roster |
Ronald Araujo | Uruguay | Leader selected in strong squad |
Which countries are most heavily represented?
It comes as no surprise to see Barcelona heavily represented in the Spain squad. The European champions will once again rely on stars such as Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Pau Cubarsi, while there are still doubts surrounding the final inclusion of Eric Garcia, Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo in the 26-man selection.
Barcelona's Spanish contingent will come up against one of their own club teammates in the final group game, with Ronald Araujo expected to play a key role for Uruguay in Group H.
Portugal, Brazil, England, Netherlands and France will all be represented by the one player from the squad, with Barcelona fans likely to adopt Brazil as their second nation in the tournament due to their style and crowd favourite, Raphinha, in the team.
The biggest stars to watch at the World Cup
Pedri is arguably Barcelona’s strongest contender to be named player of the tournament. The conductor in the Spanish orchestra, the midfielder has already proven himself on the international stage and will be waiting for Yamal’s return to turn on the style.
Raphinha also enters the tournament with a genuine chance of winning the individual award and golden trophy. The Brazilian will be one of the key figures in a Brazil side expected to challenge for the trophy if Ancelotti gets the team right. If Brazil go deep into the competition, Raphinha’s creativity and goal contributions could put him firmly in the spotlight.
Marcus Rashford remains more of an outside contender, but a strong tournament could quickly change that. The Barcelona forward has rediscovered confidence and form recently, and if England finally deliver on their potential under Thomas Tuchel, Rashford has the ability to produce decisive moments on the biggest stage.
Young players who could break out in 2026
It comes as no surprise that Spain’s hopes will largely rest on Barcelona’s emerging stars, with the fitness of Yamal likely to be crucial during the knockout stages. If the teenager returns during the group phase as expected, he could once again establish himself as one of the standout players of the tournament.
Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi has every chance of becoming one of the competition’s breakout stars if he can anchor Spain’s defence with the kind of composure and authority once associated with Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol.
Players who will miss out on World Cup selection
Roony Bardghji has been left out of the Sweden squad, meaning the youngster will likely enjoy a summer break alongside Andreas Christensen and Robert Lewandowski, who will also be watching the tournament from afar.
In Spain’s preliminary squad, there was no place for Marc Casado, Gerard Martin, Marc Bernal or Alejandro Balde, omissions that come as little surprise given injury concerns, fierce competition for places and limited regular football in recent months.
The injury to Fermín López is a major blow for the Spain national football team, with the attacking midfielder now confirming surgery and will miss the World Cup. However, his absence could open the door for another Barcelona player to seize the opportunity.
As mentioned previously, there is still a possibility that Eric Garcia could miss out on the final squad due to the depth Spain possess at centre-back. Dani Olmo also faces uncertainty for similar reasons, despite his unquestionable quality, with his form questioned recently.
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