The FC Barcelona international diary
First international break of the 2025/26 season and 15 FC Barcelona players have been called up to their national team squads. Most of them are in line to play 2026 World Cup qualifiers, whereas Roony Bardghji and Andrés Cuenca are in the Sweden U-21 and Spain U-20 squads respectively. Here is a full list of the blaugranes away with their national sides:
- Spain: Cubarsí, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermín López, Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo
- Spain U20: Andrés Cuenca
- Netherlands: Frenkie de Jong
- England: Rashford
- France: Kounde
- Poland: Lewandowski
- Brazil: Raphinha
- Denmark: Christensen
- Uruguay: Ronald Araujo
- Sweden U21: Roony Bardghji
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
France 2-1 Iceland
Jules Kounde started and played 63 minutes for France in this 2-1 comeback win at the Parc des Princes against Iceland. That's two wins out of two for France and top spot in 2026 WC UEFA qualifying group D.
Serbia 0-5 England
Marcus Rashford came on after 69 minutes and went on to score a late penalty to crown a resounding victory for England against the main threat in the group in Serbia, with 2026 WC qualification now looking very likely for the Three Lions.
Montenegro U21 2-0 Sweden U21
Blaugrana Roony Bardghji captained the side for 84 minutes, but two late goals for the home side after he had been substituted saw his side lose this European U21 Championship qualifier.
Bolivia 1-0 Brazil
Raphinha played the final half an hour of a game where there was nothing at stake for Brazil, but there certainly was for the home side, whose victory, coupled with Venezuela's 6-3 loss to Colombia, means they'll advance to the playoffs.
Chile 0-0 Uruguay
Ronald Araujo played the full ninety of a goalless draw that was largely meaningless to both teams, with Uruguay already qualified and the home side already out of the running.
MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Greece 0-3 Denmark
Andreas Christensen played all ninety minutes of a big win for Denmark, not only making an important contribution to defence but also scoring one of the three goals. It's a fabulous result for the Danes and gets their campaign right back on track after a rather disappointing 0-0 draw at home to Scotland in their opening game.
SUNDAY 7 SEPTEMBER
France U-20 1-0 Spain U-20
Andrés Cuenca played 80 minutes as Spain's U20s lost the second match of a double header of friendlies against their French counterparts in Clairefontaine.
Lituania 2 - 3 Netherlands
An away win for Netherlands in the absence of the injured Frenkie de Jong. His side are now top of Group H after having played one game fewer than second-placed Poland who are level on points.
Poland 3 - 1 Finland
Robert Lewandowski started and scored the second goal in this important win for Poland at home to Finland in Chorzow. The victory sees them three points ahead of today's opponents in second having played the same number of games.
Turkey 0 - 6 Spain
The blaugranes shone in this big win for Spain away to Turkey, including goals by Pedri (2) and substitute Ferran Torres (1), the latter assisted by Lamine Yamal, the first of two assists on the night, while Fermín López also came on the second half. Two wins from two and top spot for Spain in their quest for 2026 World Cup qualification.
SATURDAY 6 SEPTEMBER
England 2-0 Andorra
Marcus Rashford started for Thomas Tuchel's team in their win over Andorra in World Cup qualifying. The Barça winger became the first blaugrana to represent England since Gary Lineker in the 1990s, playing 68 minutes before being replaced in the second half.
FRIDAY 5 SEPTEMBER
Sweden U21 3-0 Armenia U21
Roony Bardghji played an important role in the U21 side's victory against Armenia, scoring a penalty and providing an assist during his 81 minutes out on the field.
Ukraine 0-2 France
Jules Kounde started for France in their away victory against Ukraine. The Barça defender was substituted in injury time at the end of the second half after putting in another solid performance for the national side.
Denmark 0-0 Scotland
Andreas Christensen made his first start for Denmark for over a year in the team's goalless draw in World Cup qualification against Scotland.
THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
France U-20 2-0 Spain U-20
With Andrès Cuenca among their ranks, Spain's U20s have lost a preparatory friendly for the forthcoming World Cup, with both the French goals coming in the first half.
Netherlands 1-1 Poland
Robert Lewandowski and Poland have got their ailing campaign right back on track with a valuable point in Rotterdam. The Barça striker was on for 64 minutes, while his Barça colleague Frenkie de Jong played 83 minutes for the home side, who now top the group but only goal difference ahead of the Poles and Finland, although the Dutch do have a game in hand.
Bulgaria 0-3 Spain
Spain couldn't have wished for a better start to their qualifying campaign, with Lamine Yamal starting the 3-0 win and supplying the assists for the final goal, while Pau Cubarsí came on at half-time and Dani Olmo got 20 minutes at the end. Pedri played the full 90, while Ferran and Fermín were left on the bench.
Brazil 3-0 Chile
Raphinha played 79 minutes as already qualified Brazil overpowered Chile at the legendary Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, with the Seleção Canarinho currently in second place in the table.
Uruguay 3-0 Peru
Ronald Araujo sat out this game due to suspension but his countrymen confirmed qualification for next year's World Cup with this comfortable home win in Montevideo.