The Barcelona seven and the race for the World Cup

Two have only just come of age – Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí are both 18. The oldest, Dani Olmo, is still only 27. In between are Ferran Torres, 26, Joan García, 24, Pedri, 23, and Fermín López, 22. Seven players who already have at least one major team honor on their résumé. Cubarsí and Joan García are Olympic gold medalists. Fermín paired the glory of Paris with that of Berlin. Pedri is an Olympic silver medalist and a European champion. Lamine, Olmo and Ferran won the European Championship. Plenty already achieved. And, in all likelihood, plenty still left to win.

Which Barça players will go to the World Cup?

Paradoxically, the seven Barcelona players called up by Luis de la Fuente will play host tonight in Cornellà, the stadium of the city’s eternal rival – and the place where they wrapped up the league title just a few months ago. None of them can say they have bad memories there. Lamine and Fermín scored last May in the game that sealed Barça’s championship celebrations, a 2-0 win. Then, this season, in Barcelona’s first game of 2026, Olmo curled a brilliant goal into the top corner and Joan García, on his return home, delivered a memorable performance. He himself admits that his save from Pere Milla is one of the best he can remember.

Naturally, the goalkeeper from Sallent could be one of the game’s main storylines. Developed at Espanyol after a spell with Damm, he established himself as an elite keeper in Cornellà, where he has had two unforgettable experiences. First, last May, he was carried off by Espanyol fans as one of the heroes of their survival. That was also where the famous kiss of the badge came from – the gesture that hurt Espanyol supporters so deeply when his move to Barcelona was confirmed. Joan did intense mental preparation before the Jan. 3 game, and it paid off. He shut everything out and turned in a superb performance.

Of the seven players in the squad, Joan García is the only one who does not have his place at the World Cup in the United States all but secured. The other six are locks. In fact, a couple of them could even be battling for the same role. If, at Euro 2024, with Rodri and Fabián Ruiz established in central midfield, the debate centered on Pedri or Olmo, this season the question could be Fermín or Olmo. There is still a long way to go, but injuries to Fabián and Mikel Merino could push Pedri deeper – something he welcomes. And in the attacking midfield role, the Terrassa native and the Andalusian may be competing for one spot.

There are seven Barcelona players for now, but there may yet be another ticket onto the plane. Eric García, who stayed home over these two weeks, is not among De la Fuente’s favorites but still has a chance. Alejandro Balde and Gerard Martín have a tougher path. Marc Casadó did make his debut, but his chances are slim. And with the Under-21s, Marc Bernal has already gotten started.

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