The international break is here, and once again FC Barcelona will see a large group of players head off to represent their countries. A total of 15 Barça players have been called up either to guide their teams toward the 2026 World Cup or to play friendly matches in preparation for the tournament. The list includes: Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermín, Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Marcus Rashford, Raphinha, Joao Cancelo, Roony Bardghji, Robert Lewandowski, Ronald Araujo, Marc Bernal, and Xavi Espart.

Roony and Lewandowski, eyes on the World Cup

Roony Bardghji and Robert Lewandowski are the two Barça players whose presence at this summer's World Cup is not yet secured. Both are hoping to take part with Sweden and Poland, respectively, with the two nations in action in European play offs. 

  • Roony Bardghji and Sweden face a semi-final against Ukraine on 26 March at the Estadi Ciutat de València, Spain. 
  • Robert Lewandowski is also in action in Poland's semi final on 26 March, facing Albania in Warsaw.

The winners of the two ties will meet on 31 March in the play off final with one spot at the World Cup on the line.

Other international commitments

Beyond the playoff matches, the rest of the Barça players have been called up to play friendly fixtures with their national teams.

Spain

  • Spain v Serbia: 27 March at the Estadio de la Ceràmica, Villarreal. 
  • Spain v Egypt: 31 March at the RCDE Stadium, Barcelona. 

Joan García, Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermín, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres could be involved with the Barça keeper making a possible debut for the full Spanish national team.

England & Uruguay

  • Marcus Rashford and Ronald Araujo will face each other in the friendly between England and Uruguay on 27 March at Wembley Stadium in London. 
  • England will then play Japan (31 March, Wembley), while Uruguay will face Algeria (31 March, Turin, Italy).

Brazil & Portugal

Raphinha and Brazil will face two friendlies in the USA: 

  • Brazil v France: 26 March in Foxborough, Massachusetts
  • Brazil v Croatia: 1 April in Orlando, Florida

João Cancelo has been called by Portugal for their friendlies

  • Mexico v Portugal: 29 March at the Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
  • United States v Portugal: 1 April in Atlanta

Two more blaugranes in action 

Marc Bernal has been called up by the Spanish U21 squad for European Championship qualifiers: 

  • Cyprus v Spain: 27 March in Larnaca
  • Spain v Kosovo: 31 March in Alcalá de Henares

Finally Xavi Espart is in the Spain U19 squad for their qualifiers against Slovenia (25 March), Finland (28 March) and the Netherlands (31 March) with all three games taking place in Benidorm. 

 

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