Barcelona’s Highs and Lows at the 2026 World Cup

After five weeks of intense action, Spain claimed their second-ever World Cup title. For Barcelona, the tournament featured 16 players representing various national teams, with some shining and others facing setbacks.

Injury Woes for Ronald Araujo

Things went from bad to worse for defender Ronald Araujo. An injury before the tournament sidelined him completely, marking a second consecutive World Cup missed due to physical issues. Uruguay, coached by Marcelo Bielsa, exited during the group stage. Their 2-2 draw with Cape Verde was one of the more humiliating moments for the team, despite Cape Verde being a less experienced side.

Netherlands’ Disappointing Exit and De Jong’s Knee Injury

The Netherlands, expected to advance further, bowed out in the Round of 32 after losing on penalties to Morocco. The squad’s overall performance was underwhelming, with Frenkie de Jong playing through a knee injury that only recently became public knowledge. Barcelona’s medical team now faces the challenge of determining his recovery plan. If he misses the start of the domestic season, it will leave Barca vulnerable right from the outset.

Raphinha’s Hamstring Setback

Raphinha also had a disappointing World Cup. Coming off an injury-plagued 2025/26 season, he managed just 39 minutes across two matches before another hamstring issue forced him off against Morocco. While he appears to be recovering, Barcelona will likely proceed cautiously with the speedy winger.

Success Stories Among Barcelona’s Spanish Players

At least the Spanish contingent from Barcelona returned victorious. Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal all brought home winners’ medals after Spain defeated Argentina. Ferran’s winning goal in the final will surely boost his confidence, and Cubarsi’s recognition as Young Player of the Tournament was well deserved. Lamine performed as expected, but the key takeaway is that all eight returned healthy and ready for the new season following a well-earned break.

Anthony Gordon Shows Promise Despite England’s Disappointment

Anthony Gordon impressed fans even though England fell short of expectations. Expected to fill Rashford’s shoes and provide competition for Raphinha on the left wing, Gordon worked tirelessly in every match. His semi-final goal was a highlight, and he finished the tournament with one goal and three assists, suggesting great things ahead for his time at Barcelona.

Hamza Abdelkarim’s Bright Future

Although lesser known, 18-year-old Hamza Abdelkarim showed glimpses of his talent while playing 15 minutes in four of Egypt’s five matches. Despite Egypt’s early exit, they reached a World Cup stage further than ever before, and Abdelkarim gained valuable experience that should benefit him back at Barcelona.

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