Barcelona’s Winners and Losers at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup wrapped up after five intense weeks, with Spain claiming their second ever title. Barcelona saw 16 of their players take part, but their experiences varied widely.
Injuries Cloud Araujo’s World Cup
Ronald Araujo faced a tough tournament, sidelined by injury before it began. This marked his second straight World Cup without any playing time. Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, failed to progress beyond the group stage. Their 2-2 draw against Cape Verde stood out as a surprising and disappointing result.
Netherlands Stumble with De Jong's Knee Issue
The Netherlands exited in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco, falling short of expectations given their strong squad. One factor might have been Frenkie de Jong, who played the entire tournament despite a knee problem. Barcelona’s medical team will now evaluate his condition, potentially sidelining him for the start of the domestic season, weakening Barca early on.
Raphinha's Hamstring Woes Continue
Raphinha struggled with fitness again, managing only 39 minutes against Haiti and 90 against Morocco before another hamstring injury forced him out. Though recovering, Barcelona will likely approach his return cautiously after a challenging 2025/26 season filled with interruptions.
Spanish Stars Shine Bright
On the brighter side, Barcelona’s Spanish players had a victorious campaign. Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal all celebrated Spain’s triumph over Argentina. Ferran’s winning goal in the final surely boosts his confidence, while Cubarsi earned the Young Player of the Tournament award. The fact that all eight returned healthy offers Barcelona a solid foundation heading into the new season.
Anthony Gordon Impresses Despite England’s Exit
Anthony Gordon, expected to fill Marcus Rashford’s shoes and challenge Raphinha for a spot on the left wing, showed great effort throughout England’s run. Although the Three Lions fell short, Gordon scored once and assisted three times, giving fans hope for what’s ahead.
Hamza Abdelkarim’s Promising Debut
Relatively unknown to many Barcelona supporters, 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim appeared for Egypt in four matches, totaling 15 minutes. Despite Egypt’s early exit, they reached their best-ever World Cup performance, and Abdelkarim gained valuable experience that should benefit him at Barcelona.
Which Barcelona players caught your eye during the 2026 World Cup? Let us know your thoughts below!
