The FC Barcelona World Cup diary

The FC Barcelona World Cup diary - label.aria.viber Viber - label.aria.whatsapp WhatsApp - label.aria.twitter Twitter - label.aria.facebook Facebook - label.aria.messenger Messenger - label.aria.link label.aria.tick Copy link This 23rd World Cup is the biggest in history, with no fewer than 48 national teams disputing the finals in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada from June 11 through to July 19. This World Cup has a blaugrana tinge to it too, given many players have been called up to represent their respective nations. The blaugranes will be looking to make their presence felt and we will be rounding up all the news regarding our players every day here as the tournament progresses, so why not bookmark this page and keep checking in. Please note that all times are CEST. Wednesday, 8 July The lineup for the 2026 World Cup quarterfinals is now complete. However, there is no action until tomorrow as the tournament takes a break. As such, the 10 blaugranes still in the hunt for the trophy can get some rest ahead of their next challenge. Tuesday, 7 July A tough ending for Egypt and Hamza Abdelkarim after Argentina came back to go through. They had taken a 0-2 lead, but the current world champions scored three goals late on, including a goal and an assist by Messi, to secure their place in the quarterfinals. The young blaugrana forward didn't feature in the match, as his first World Cup experience ends. Monday, 6 July Spain are into the last eight of the World Cup after a 1-0 win over Portugal in the last 16. Pau Cubarsí, Lamine, Pedri and Dani Olmo all started for Luis de la Fuente's team with Ferran Torres coming on in the second half to provide the assist for Mikel Merino's late winner. Sunday, 5 July Raphinha may have been confirmed back to full fitness by Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, but he was not used in the 2-1 defeat to Norway that brings an end to his country's hopes of winning a sixth World Cup. Two second half goals from Erling Haaland sealed a place for the Scandinavians in the quarter finals, where they will now face Anthony Gordon's England on Saturday 11 June at 11pm CEST. Barça's new signing was one of the standout players at the Azteca in Mexico City as England won a dramatic encounter with one of the host nations. Jude Bellingham earned his side a first half lead, but Mexico pulled a goal just before the break and were even closer to a comeback after England were reduced to ten men. A memorable second half brought a penalty for each side, both converted, but England held off against the Mexican onslaught and Barça have a second representative in the last eight. Saturday, 4 July Jules Kounde played all ninety minutes as France won a very physical encounter with Paraguay to advance to the quarter finals, where they will meet Morocco, who beat Canada earlier in the day. The French struggled more than was perhaps expected to defeat the South Americans, victors of Germany in the previous round, but eventually clinched the win thanks to a Kylian Mbappe penalty. Friday, 3 July Egypt and Abdelkarim are into the last 16 after a 4-2 penalty shoot out victory over Australia. The game ended 1-1 after extra time in which the young blaugrana made an appearance in the second half. The reward for the African nation is a tie against holders Argentina in the next round after Leo Messi's team scraped through 3-2 winners in extra time over Cape Verde. Spain now know they will play Portugal in the next round after their win against Croatia in the early hours. Thursday, 2 July Lamine Yamal was named player of the match as Spain overcame Austria 3-0 in Los Angeles. He was joined in the starting lineup by Pau Cubarsí, Dani Olmo and Pedri, while Ferran Torres and Gavi also featured as second-half substitutes. Wednesday, 1 July Anthony Gordon played a significant role in England's 2-1 come from behind win against DR Congo in the last 32 on Wednesday. An early goal from Cipenga put the Africans ahead in the first half and it was not until blaugrana Gordon came on in the second half, providing assists for both of Harry Kane's goals, did Thomas Tuchel's team turn the game around. The reward is a last 16 tie against hosts Mexico in the Azteca Stadium. Tuesday, 30 June Jules Kounde played 75 minutes of France's impressive 3-0 win over Sweden in the last 32 in New Jersey. Two goals from Mbappé and one from Barcola give the blaugrana and his French team mates a last 16 tie with Paraguay. Earlier in the day a second Barça player was eliminated. Frenkie de Jong says goodbye to the World Cup in cruel fashion, as the Netherlands lost to Morocco on penalties. Despite taking the lead through a Cody Gakpo goal in the 72nd minute, the North Africans equalised in stoppage time and, with no goals in extra time, the penalty shootout sent Morocco through. Frenkie de Jong played 110 minutes before being substituted during extra time. Monday, 29 June Raphinha's Brazil have progressed to the next round of the World Cup. Carlo Ancelotti's side had to come from behind against Japan, with goals from Casemiro and Gabriel Martinelli, the latter in stoppage time, securing their place in the Round of 16. Barça player Raphinha remains injured and was once again unable to play any minutes in this Round of 32 tie. Sunday, 28 June Earlier in the day some FC Barcelona players were in action in the final set of group stage matches. England beat Panama 2-0 to top their group in a game that saw Rashford start and play the full 90 minutes, while Anthony Gordon remained on the bench. Later Portugal and Colombia played out at 0-0 draw, with João Cancelo starting and playing the first half, as his side ended second in their group. Saturday, 27 June Spain have denied Uruguay a place in the round of 32. A goal from Baena guided Luis de la Fuente's side to victory and knocked out Ronald Araujo's team. Cubarsí, with a stellar display at the heart of the defence, along with Pedri and Lamine Yamal, started this final group-stage match. Olmo and Ferran Torres, who could have doubled the lead when through one-on-one against Muslera, added minutes from the bench. Hamza Abdelkarim played 15 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Iran. Egypt therefore secured a place in the round of 32 as group runners-up, finishing behind Belgium on goal difference after the Belgians topped the group. Friday, 26 June Another win for Kounde’s France. A Dembélé hat-trick and a goal from Doue tipped the balance in favour of the French side: 4-1. The Barça full-back played 87 minutes in a match that sent Didier Deschamps’ side through to the round of 32 as group winners. Frenkie de Jong played the first 72 minutes of the Netherlands' 3-1 victory over Tunisia, which is enough to ensure that his side finish top of the group. But a tough prospect awaits the Dutch in the round of 32. They will be facing 2022 semi-finalists Morocco in Monterrey. Thursday, 25 June Brazil secured their place in the knockout stage overnight after thrashing Scotland 3-0. Without the injured Raphinha and with Neymar returning after more than three years away, the Seleção progress to the round of 32 as winners of Group C and will face the runners-up from either Group E or Group L. Wednesday, 24 June Today sees the start of the final round of group matches that will determine the lineup of teams in the last 32 knockout round. Both matches in each group are played simultaneously to ensure fair play and the round gets under way with Group B this evening at 9.00pm. No blaugrana representation in today's matches. Tuesday, June 23 England played out a goalless draw with Ghana in their second group game of the tournament with Barça's Anthony Gordon in the starting line up once again. Fellow blaugrana Marcus Rashford came on in the 83rd minute in search of the winner, but the Africans held firm. With four points and a game against Panama to come, England are well placed to continue on to the knock out stages. Earlier in the day, João Cancelo and Portugal recorded their first win of the tournament with a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. With four points and a game to come against Colombia, Roberto Martínez's team have one foot in the last 32. Monday, June 22 France, with Jules Kounde in the starting line-up, beat Iraq 3-0 in a game that suffered a two-hour interruption due to a storm. Mbappe scored twice and former Barça man Dembélé got the other to earn three points and a place in the last 16 for the 2022 finalists. Messi makes history. The La Masia graduate and FC Barcelona legend has written another remarkable chapter in his career of achievements. His brace against Austria has made him the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, taking his tally to 18 goals. Earlier today saw U19 player Hamza Abdelkarim come on in the 76th minute to replace Ziko for Egypt in their match against New Zealand. His team ran out 3-1 winners and they currently sit in top spot of group G on four points and look likely to be in the knockout phase. The day began with Uruguay playing Cape Verde, a match that ended in a 2-2 draw, which complicates matters for blaugrana Ronald Araujo and his teammates, who will need a positive result against Spain to have any chance of going through after two draws so far. The centreback didn't feature as he continues to recover from injury. Sunday, June 21 Lamine Yamal marked his first ever start in the World Cup with a goal in the 4-0 win over Saudi Arabia. Dani Olmo, Pedri and Pau Cubarsí also started the game in which an own goal and a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal completed the victory for Luis de la Fuente's team. Saturday, June 20 An emphatic victory for the Netherlands against Sweden: 5–1. The side coached by Barça legend Ronald Koeman has taken all three points to move into first place in Group F with four points. Barça midfielder Frenkie de Jong started in the heart of the Oranje midfield, providing leadership and composure. With his team in control of the scoreline, the number 21 maintained command in midfield to neutralise any Swedish response, with the opposition managing only a consolation goal. It's a victory that brings Koeman’s side closer to the next round. Brazil have picked up their first win of the World Cup, beating Haiti 3-0, but the victory was overshadowed by an injury to Barça winger Raphinha. The Brazilian started once again but lasted only 40 minutes before being forced off with visible discomfort. By then, the Seleção were already 2-0 up thanks to a Cunha brace, and Vinícius added the third a few minutes later. Brazil move onto four points, level with Morocco and one ahead of Scotland, their opponents in the final round of group stage matches. Friday, June 19 No blaugrana involvement today either, with all three hosts Canada, Mexico and the United States getting important wins. Thursday, June 18 No blaugrana participation in the World Cup today as the second round of group matches get underway with fixtures from Groups A and B. Wednesday, June 17 England, inspired by Rashford and Gordon, claimed a 4-2 victory over Croatia in a game that featured the first Barcelona goal of the 2026 World Cup. Rashford started on the bench, but came on in the 72nd minute in place of new clubmate Gordon and created the goal himself, cutting inside before firing a low shot across goal beyond an inspired Livaković. Meanwhile, Barça's first signing for the 2026/27 season started the match but was unable to contribute directly to any of England's four goals. Lively in attack, he registered two shots and also won possession once. It was an encouraging start for the two Barça players as part of an England team who are already making a strong case for themselves at this World Cup. Joao Cancelo picked up his first point of the World Cup. The FC Barcelona full-back played the full 90 minutes in Portugal's 1-1 draw with DR Congo. Operating first at right-back and then at left-back, the Barça number 2 posed an attacking threat from both flanks, but it was not enough to earn Portugal more than a point in their opening match. The side coached by Catalan manager Roberto Martínez took the lead through João Neves, but the Africans responded with an equaliser from Wissa. Tuesday, June 16 Barça defender Jules Kounde got his World Cup off to a winning start as he played all 90 minutes of France's 3-1 win over Senegal. Other matches saw wins for Austria, Norway and defending champions Argentina who defeated Algeria 3-0 thanks to a hat-trick from Leo Messi. Monday, June 15 Spain have not started the World Cup the way they wanted. They dominated minnows Cape Verde from start to finish but could not find a goal against a well-organised defence, and it ended in a disappointing 0-0 draw. Pedro, Ferran Torres and Gavi all started the game, while Lamine Yamal, making his comeback from injury, and Dani Olmo were both introduced towards the end of the second half. The two Barça substitutes made an important impact after coming on, but too late to get the campaign off to a winning start. FC Barcelona youth player Hamza Abdelkarim came on for the last quarter of an hour of Egypt's game, moments after Belgium had grabbed an equaliser after going a goal down in the first half. What an occasion to make your competitive debut for your country. The injured Ronald Araujo was unable to make his World Cup debut for Uruguay against Saudi Arabia in a game that ended 1-1. Sunday, June 14 Frenkie de Jong played all 90 minutes of the 2-2 draw between the Netherlands and Japan. Former blaugrana Ronald Koeman looked on as his took the lead twice in the game only for Japan to come back twice, the second equaliser coming in the 88th minute. Other games saw Ivory Coast defeat Ecuador 1-0, Germany put seven past Curaçao in a 7-1 victory and Sweden also had a handsome 5-1 win over Tunisia. The day's matches began with Raphinha becoming the first blaugrana to play in this World Cup as Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco. He played the full 90 minutes, starting on the right wing before moving into a central role, as his side went behind to a goal by Saibari after Morocco had started strongly. Real Madrid man Vinícius then equalised soon after, as the game between these two fancied sides ended even. Saturday, June 13 No blaugrana involvement yet, but the other two host nations got underway with the United States recording an emphatic 4-1 victory over Paraguay, while Canada got their first points at a World Cup in the 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Later in the day, Qatar scored their first ever World Cup goal as they surprised Switzerland with a late equaliser, with the match ending 1-1.Other games already played today saw Scotland edge out Haiti 1-0, while Australia overcame Turkey 2-0. Friday, June 12 Mexico and South Korea collected the first wins of the competition at the expense of South Korea and Czechia, with no Barça involvement on the opening day. Today the other two host countries play their first games. Canada are facing Bosnia Herzegovina, while the USA (including ex-blaugrana Dest) take on Paraguay. Thursday, June 11 The big day has finally arrived. This evening at 9.00pm, Mexico and South Africa are set to play the opening match at the famous Azteca stadium. That's followed by South Korea v Czechia at 4.00am. No blaugranes are set to be involved, but remember that no fewer than 16 Barça players are at this World Cup. This means there will be some FC Barcelona player involvement on most days, so our blaugrana World Cup schedule can prove helpful to know when and where that will be. What's more, there are other FC Barcelona links at this World Cup. As well as the current players, there are three coaches with a blaugrana past, such as Ronald Koeman with Netherlands, Julen Lopetegui with Qatar and Thomas Christiansen with Panama. Furthermore, there are many former Barça players, from Messi to Neymar, plus Dembélé, Kessie and several La Masia players. Unfortunately Ez Abde won't be there, as his injury on the eve of the tournament sees him miss out for Morocco. - label.aria.viber Viber - label.aria.whatsapp WhatsApp - label.aria.twitter Twitter - label.aria.facebook Facebook - label.aria.messenger Messenger - label.aria.link label.aria.tick Copy link