The first international break of the season has begun, and during these days, the national teams with Barcelona representation have official commitments in preparation for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Thirteen Barcelona players have been called up by their respective national teams for the World Cup 2026 qualifying matches. The countries that will feature Barcelona players include Spain, the Netherlands, France, Poland, England, Sweden, Brazil, and Denmark.
Spain
Spain has the highest number of Barcelona players with six in the squad. Cubarsí, Pedri, Fermín, Ferran, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal will kick off the World Cup 2026 qualification campaign with two away games. They will face Bulgaria on Thursday, the 4th of the month, at 20:45, and then play against Turkey on Sunday at the same time. Spain is in Group E of the European qualification, alongside Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia.
Netherlands and Poland
Unlike Spain, the Dutch national team, represented by Frenkie de Jong, and the Polish team, with Robert Lewandowski, have already begun their World Cup qualification journey. Both teams, placed in Group G, will play two more matches during this break. The first match will be a face-off between the Netherlands and Poland on Thursday, the 4th, at 20:45 at Feyenoord Stadium. The Dutch team will then travel to Lithuania for their second game on Sunday, the 7th, at 18:00. Meanwhile, Poland will host Finland on the same day at 20:45.
In Group G, alongside the Netherlands and Poland, are Finland, Lithuania, and Malta. Currently, Finland leads the group with 7 points in 4 matches, followed by the Netherlands (6 points in 2 matches), Poland (6 points in 3 matches), Lithuania (2 points in 3 matches), and Malta (1 point in 4 matches).
France
Jules Kounde represents Barcelona in the French national team, which is part of Group D with Azerbaijan, Iceland, and Ukraine. Like Spain, France begins its World Cup qualification journey in this break. The French team will face Ukraine and Iceland in their upcoming matches, with the first game scheduled in Poland on Friday, the 5th, at 20:45. The second and final match for France in this break will be against Iceland at Parc des Princes on Tuesday, the 9th, at 20:45.
England
A notable addition to the list of Barcelona players called up is Rashford for the English national team. It has been over 40 years since an English player has been in Barcelona, with the last one being Lineker. Rashford will face Andorra on Saturday, the 6th, at 18:00, and conclude the international window with a match against Serbia on Tuesday, the 9th, at 20:45.
For the English team in Group K, these matches will be the 3rd and 4th of the qualification phase. Currently, England leads the group with 9 points in 3 matches, followed by Albania (5 points in 4 matches), Serbia (4 points in 2 matches), Latvia (4 points in 3 matches), and Andorra (0 points in 4 matches).
Denmark
The Danish national team, featuring Andreas Christensen, is in Group C with Belarus, Greece, and Scotland, also starting their World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. Denmark will play their first match at home against Scotland at Parken Stadion in Copenhagen on Friday, the 5th, at 20:45. Their second and final match will be away against Greece on Monday, the 8th, at the same time.
Brazil and Uruguay
In the South American qualification, where all 10 teams are in one group, Brazil, with Raphinha, has already secured a spot in the World Cup 2026 with 25 points from 16 matches but continues to play matches in this phase. Brazil will face Chile and Bolivia in this break, with the match against Chile at the Maracanã Stadium in the early hours of Friday, and the match against Bolivia in La Paz in challenging weather conditions due to the high altitude on Tuesday, the 9th, at 1:30.
To conclude, Uruguay, with Ronald Araujo, is on the brink of qualifying for the World Cup, with 24 points in 16 matches. They will play against Peru on Friday, the 5th, at 1:30, and travel to Chile for their final match in this break on Wednesday, the 10th, at the same time.