Barcelona’s Standouts and Setbacks at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup ended with Spain claiming their second-ever title after five intense weeks. Barcelona had a strong presence, with 16 players representing their nations, though some enjoyed success while others faced disappointment.

Injury Woes for Ronald Araujo

Things went poorly for Ronald Araujo. An injury before the tournament kept him off the field for all of Uruguay's matches. This marks the second consecutive World Cup where injury has sidelined him. Uruguay, managed by Marcelo Bielsa, failed to progress beyond the group stage, including a damaging 2-2 draw against Cape Verde, a result that will sting given Cape Verde’s status as underdogs.

Netherlands’ Early Exit and De Jong’s Injury

The Netherlands suffered a disappointing Round of 32 exit after losing on penalties to Morocco. The squad was strong on paper but failed to advance far. One contributing factor may have been Frenkie de Jong, who battled a knee injury throughout the tournament. It’s now up to Barcelona’s medical team to decide on his recovery plan. There’s concern he might miss the start of the league season, which would be a blow for Barca.

Raphinha’s Limited Impact

Raphinha faced his own fitness struggles. After battling injuries during the 2025/26 season, he played a full match against Morocco but then re-injured his hamstring, limiting him to just 39 minutes against Haiti. While he seems to be recovering, Barcelona will likely proceed cautiously with the speedy winger.

Spanish Players Shine Bright

The Spanish squad brought joy to Barcelona fans. Players like Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal lifted the trophy after defeating Argentina. Ferran Torres scoring the winning goal in the final is a huge confidence boost. Pau Cubarsi earned the Young Player of the Tournament award, a well-deserved recognition. All eight players remain healthy and ready for the upcoming season after a deserved break.

Anthony Gordon’s Promising Performance

Despite England’s elimination being a letdown, Anthony Gordon showed what Barcelona supporters can expect. Tasked with replacing Marcus Rashford and challenging Raphinha on the left wing, Gordon impressed with his work rate, netting one goal and providing three assists. His efforts could be a bright spot for Barca this season.

Hamza Abdelkarim’s World Cup Debut

Although not widely known yet, Hamza Abdelkarim made his mark for Egypt. The 18-year-old appeared in four of Egypt’s five games, totaling 15 minutes on the pitch. Egypt reached a stage further than ever before in their World Cup history, and Abdelkarim gained valuable experience that should benefit him at Barcelona.

Which Barcelona player caught your eye the most during the 2026 World Cup? Let us know your thoughts below!