Barcelona's Highs and Lows at the 2026 World Cup

After five intense weeks, the 2026 World Cup wrapped up with Spain claiming their second-ever world title. Barcelona had an impressive 16 players representing various national teams, with outcomes that varied widely.

Struggles for Ronald Araujo and Uruguay

Ronald Araujo faced a tough tournament, sidelined by injury before it began. He did not play a single minute, marking his second consecutive World Cup missed due to injury. Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, failed to progress past the group stage, including a 2-2 draw with Cape Verde—a result that might go down as one of their most humiliating, despite Cape Verde’s underdog status.

Netherlands and Frenkie de Jong’s Challenges

The Netherlands exited in the Round of 32 after a penalty shootout loss to Morocco, a performance well below expectations for such a strong team. One factor could be Frenkie de Jong, who battled a knee injury throughout the tournament. Barcelona’s medical team now faces a task to decide his treatment, and he is likely to miss the start of the upcoming league season, leaving Barca weaker before it even begins.

Raphinha’s Frustrating World Cup

Raphinha also found the tournament difficult. After battling injuries during a stop-start 2025/26 season, he managed a full game against Morocco before a recurring hamstring issue limited him to just 39 minutes against Haiti. Though he seems to be recovering, Barcelona will have to handle his return cautiously.

Bright Spots for Barcelona’s Spanish Stars

The Spanish players from Barcelona enjoyed a triumphant campaign. Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal all earned winners’ medals after Spain defeated Argentina. Torres’s winning goal in the final should boost his confidence significantly. Cubarsi took home the Young Player of the Tournament award, while Yamal impressed as expected. All eight returned fit and healthy, ready to attack the new season after a well-earned break.

Anthony Gordon’s Promise for Barcelona Fans

Anthony Gordon, though England’s World Cup run ended in disappointment, showed promising signs for his new club. Expected to fill the void left by Marcus Rashford and challenge Raphinha on the left wing, Gordon worked hard in every match and finished with one goal and three assists. His effort suggests exciting possibilities ahead for Barca supporters.

Hamza Abdelkarim’s Impressive Debut

While less known, 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim made a mark with Egypt. Playing 15 minutes in four out of five games, he displayed clear talent despite Egypt’s early exit. The experience gained should serve him well back at Barcelona.

Which Barcelona players stood out most to you at the 2026 World Cup? Share your thoughts in the comments!