Week of World Cup debuts

Week of World Cup debuts

Up to nine Barça players could make their debuts in a World Cup

The World Cup in Qatar in now under way with the opening game between hosts Qatar and Ecuador taking place on Sunday. The first blaugrana in action was Frenkie de Jong in the Netherlands' 2-0 win over Senegal on Monday, the Dutchman's first ever appearance in the competition. 

Over the next week there will be plenty of other opportunities for Barça player's to make their first ever appearance in the competition. 

Monday in Orange

Monday saw midfielder De Jong and striker Memphis were both in action against Senegal. De Jong provided the cross for Cody Gakpo's header for the opening goal in the 2-0 win in his first ever appearance in a World Cup. 

The Barça midfielder featured in the Euro2020 tournament last summer where the Netherlands' reached the last 16. He made his debut for the national side in September 2018 in a friendly against Peru, two months after the previous World Cup in Russia. 

Tuesday another possible debut 

Tuesday could see first appearance in a World Cup for Barça's French defender Jules Kounde with France in action against Australia. The versatile centre back played in last season's European Championships for France but this his first time in the squad on the world stage. 

Seve possible on Wednesday 

On Wednesday the Spanish national side are in action for the first time in Qatar with Eric Garcia, Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres and Balde all in line for their first appearance in the World Cup when Luis Enrique's team face Costa Rica. 

Alejandro Balde could make his international debut at the same time as his World Cup debut after his late call up to the side, something that has not happened since 2002 when Albert Luque and Koke Contreras made their first ever appearances for Spain during that summer's World Cup. 

Germany's Marc ter Stegen will have the chance to enjoy his first minutes in a World Cup in his country's game against Japan. The Barça keeper is in the squad for his second World Cup but is yet to get out on the field for Germany in the tournament. 

 

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