The 2026 World Cup kicks off on Thursday, placing Barcelona’s players in the Spain national team into sharp focus for both their country and club. Spain’s squad features eight Barcelona players, with Lamine Yamal standing out after finishing runner-up for the Ballon d’Or in 2025.
Yamal is widely tipped as the favorite for this year’s award, especially if he inspires Spain to World Cup glory. His main competitor is Ousmane Dembele, who has already won Ligue 1 and the Champions League with PSG this season and remains a strong contender. Harry Kane is also among the candidates, asserting that he deserves inclusion, especially if England wins the tournament.
For Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, the World Cup represents an opportunity not only to cement his status among the world’s best but also to influence the outcome of the Ballon d’Or race. The increased workload on Spain’s squad—heavily represented by Barcelona players—raises questions about rotation and fitness ahead of the 2026/27 club season.
Following Lamine Yamal and Barcelona’s contingent during the World Cup promises to be one of the season’s major storylines.
