More players on international duty
Yet more Barça players will be away on international duty this September. On 29 August, Luis de la Fuente named Cubarsí, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín, Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal in his Spain squad to begin the road to the 2026 World Cup. On the same day it was confirmed that Frenkie de Jong, Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski would also join up with their national teams, adding to a list that already included Kounde, Bardghji, Raphinha and Christensen.
Spain’s seven Barça men face two away qualifiers for the World Cup to be staged in Canada, Mexico and the United States. On Thursday 4 September they visit Bulgaria at the Vasil Levski National Stadium in Sofia, before heading to Konya to meet Turkey on Sunday 7 September.
U20 World Cup preparations
Barça’s presence in the Spanish setup doesn’t end there. Héctor Fort and Andrés Cuenca have both been called up for the U20 squad, who are preparing for their World Cup in Chile. They will face France twice in friendlies at Clairefontaine ahead of the tournament kick-off on 28 September.
Frenkie de Jong joins oranje
Also confirmed on 29 August was Frenkie de Jong’s inclusion in the Netherlands squad. The midfielder will play two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, first against Poland at Feyenoord Stadium and then away to Lithuania in Kaunas. His Oranje side are looking to keep momentum in their qualification campaign.
Rashford for England
Not since Gary Lineker has a Barça player featured for England. Now Marcus Rashford ends that wait. Thomas Tuchel has selected the striker for England’s two qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
And Lewandowski for Poland
Robert Lewandowski is also back in action for his own national team, ensuring a Barça head-to-head with Frenkie de Jong when Poland take on the Netherlands. His other scheduled qualifier is against Finland on 9 September.