More blaugranes with 2026 World Cup chance
The 2026 World Cup is growing ever closer and the eyes of the football world will be on Canada, United States of America and Mexico from 11 June next year as the tournament gets under way. That comes at the end of this season, but there are already some FC Barcelona players with a chance to play as their nations are already through.
Raphinha first with Brazil
Raphinha was the first blaugrana with a chance to go to World Cup 2026, as Brazil confirmed qualification in June to maintain their record of being at every one of all 23 tournaments contested so far. Ronald Araujo with Uruguay was next, as his side confirmed their spot in the first international break of this season.
The qualification campaign in South America saw Brazil and Raphinha finish in fifth and Uruguay and Araujo finish in fourth, comfortably within the top six positions that guaranteed a place at the World Cup. As such, CONMEBOL will have two teams potentially featuring FC Barcelona players at the international tournament.
Kounde the latest
The first European side featuring an FC Barcelona player to qualify were England with Marcus Rashford in October. Not since the 1986 World Cup when Gary Lineker went to Mexico have Barça had a player representing the Three Lions at the tournament. They were followed by France and Jules Kounde, who sealed passage during this current international break.
Netherlands and Spain almost there
Frenkie de Jong and the Oranje are within touching distance of qualification. The Netherlands are virtually through after drawing against Poland and Lewandowski, as the only other outcome would involve a defeat in the final qualifier, coupled with a win and massive goal swing for Poland. The latter look likely to be in the European play-offs for a chance to earn one of the final four tickets to the tournament taking place in Canada, United States of America and Mexico.
Spain are also so close to qualification, as only a 0-7 loss to Turkey would see Olmo, Fermín, Ferran, Cubarsí, Lamine Yamal, Pedri and co have to settle for a play-off position. Pretty unlikely when you consider Luis de la Fuente's side have won all five qualifiers so far, scoring 19 and conceding none.
Denmark and Sweden face different tests
Andreas Christensen and Denmark still have to book their 2026 World Cup ticket, but a win against Scotland in Glasgow will confirm first position in the group, and therefore, a spot at the tournament. Despite a poor qualifying phase, Roony Bardghji and Sweden can still make it, as having finished first in their Nations League group gives them a chance through the European play-offs.
So, currently four nations with potential blaugrana representation will be at the 2026 World Cup. The last edition in 2022 in Qatar saw 17 FC Barcelona players there with their respective national sides when a Leo Messi-led Argentina defeated France and Kounde on penalties in the final.
That tournament was the record so far for the number of blaugranes at the international tournament, but more and more blaugranes are potentially World Cup bound as the qualification process starts to come to a conclusion.