100 days until Qatar 2022 World Cup
In just one hundred days from now, the World Cup kicks off in Qatar, and there is going to be a huge presence of FC Barcelona players. Exactly how many, we cannot be sure because it all depends on which get named to their respective and definitive 23-man squads, but no fewer than 22 men have either played for one of the 32 finalists or have expressed an intention to do so.
Potentially, and with five new players added to the squad this summer, Barça could be sending its biggest ever participation ever to the finals. There could be at least one Barça player involved in every one of the eight groups!
Memphis and Frenkie De Jong with Netherlands
The first team with a Barça interest to play will be Holland, who are back at the World Cup after surprisingly missing out on Russia 2018. They take on Senegal in a group that also includes Ecuador and the hosts from Qatar. Frenkie De Jong and Memphis are two of the most important components of the Dutch side. In fact, the latter recently became the country’s second highest goalscorer of all time.
Sergiño Dest with the USMNT
The United States are also returning after failing to make the finals in 2018. Full back Sergiño Dest is one of the standout players in a side that pens the tournament against Wales in a group that also includes England and Iran.
Poland pinning hopes on Lewandowski
Poland failed to progress beyond the group stage in Russia, and that was despite having one of the world-s greatest forwards in Robert Lewandowski, the team captain and all/time highest goalscorer, who has since joined FC Barcelona. Poland start against Mexico and will also be facing Argentina and Saudi Arabia.
France and Denmark share a group
France and Denmark met at Russia 2018, and in 2022 they are in the same group once again. In addition to Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembélé, Barça are now also represented by Jules Kounde in the former, who will be defending their world title, while Andreas Christensen and Martin Braithwaite will both be lining up for the Danes. Australia (once again!) and Tunisia are the other teams in the group.
Clash of Spanish and German giants
Luis Enrique has been naming as many as eight different Barça players in his recent squads, namely Jordi Alba, Eric Garcia, Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati. Most or even all of those should be in his 23 for Qatar, but not Gerard Piqué who has decided to call a day on his international career. They share the group with Costa Rica, Japan and another side with a Barça representative, goalkeeper Marc-André Ter Stegen, namely the ever-dangerous Germany.
Possible debut for Morocco
After EZ Abde finally opted to represent Morocco ahead of Spain at international level, the youngster was unable to make his debut in the play-off against DR Congo after going down with an injury. But he still very much an option to form part of a squad that will taking on Belgium, Canada and Croatia in Group F.
Raphinha and samba brasilera
Record five-time champions Brazil are always one of the main attractions at the World Cup, and they can only benefit from the presence of Raphinha, who has become an important member of manager Tite’s team. Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon will be their first three challenges.
Araujo and Uruguay
Finally, Ronald Araujo has become an established part in one of the strongest defences in world football, that of Uruguay. The ‘celeste’ are in what promises to be an extremely tight group also involving Portugal, Ghana and the Czech Republic.
