The 2026 FIFA World Cup has a significant impact on Barcelona’s preseason start under Hansi Flick. Players who participated in the tournament are entitled to three weeks’ rest after their final match, meaning those reaching the final might not be available until mid-August.
Nine first-team players did not take part in the World Cup and will join the preseason from day one. This group includes goalkeepers Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Wojciech Szczesny, plus defenders Alejandro Balde and Andreas Christensen, as well as young talents Gerard Martin, Hector Fort, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal, and Roony Bardghji.
Additionally, three key players are expected to return earlier due to their national teams’ early elimination: Frenkie de Jong, Ronald Araujo, and Raphinha. Uruguay exited the competition on June 27, granting Araujo a holiday until July 18, with a possible earlier return since he did not play during the World Cup.
De Jong’s team went out three days later on June 30, so he is expected back around July 22. Raphinha was eliminated more recently and will finish his three-week break by July 27.
Barcelona’s preseason officially begins on July 13 with medical exams, followed by intense training under Flick. The first friendly is set for July 24 against Europa, after which the team will tour England for matches between July 27 and August 3. By then, the three World Cup players may have rejoined the squad.
These staggered returns require careful planning but allow Barcelona to manage the squad effectively during preparation.
