The last international break of 2026 has seen a fresh batch of countries confirm their places at World Cup 2026 that will be held next summer in North America, Canada and Mexico.
Barcelona will of course
be well represented at the tournament, with a host of players set to grace the tournament with their respective nations.
Time to check out who will be dreaming of World Cup glory next year:
Spain
Spain enjoyed a simply brilliant qualifying campaign and will be one of the favorites next summer. La Roja secured their place in the finals on Tuesday night against Turkey and will likely have a squad packed full of Barca players jetting across the Atlantic for the tournament.
Lamine Yamal missed the latest call-up but will be expected to play a key role, while Pau Cubarsi, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez are also likely to be part of Luis de la Fuente’s squad for the tournament.
They could even be joined by Joan Garcia, Gavi, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Alejandro Balde if the Barca stars can force their way into the Spain manager’s thoughts between now and the end of the season.
Netherlands
Frenkie de Jong will also be at the World Cup after helping the Netherlands clinch top spot in Group G this week with a comfortable win over Lithuania.
The Barcelona midfielder is a key player for Ronald Koeman’s Oranje and was showered with praise by Lithuania manager Edgaras Jankauska after the game.
He told reporters: “Frenkie de Jong changes the face of this team, every attack goes through him. He is involved in everything. He organizes the game and controls it.”
Uruguay
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo didn’t play at World Cup 2022 due to injury but will hope to play a key role for Marcelo Bielsa’s team in 2026.
Uruguay qualified back in September by finishing fourth behind Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia in the South American standings
However, a dismal defeat to the USMNT in a friendly over the latest international break has put plenty of question marks over how the team will fare in North America.
Brazil
Raphinha will feature at World Cup 2026 for Brazil with the Selecao now led by former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti.
The current Brazil team may lack the flair and magic of previous legendary sides but Raphinha certainly has the ability to light up the tournament for Ancelotti’s men.
Ancelotti has already made it clear just how highly he rates the Barcelona star, explaining: “He combines quality with extraordinary physical work. He’s a spectacular player.”
England
Marcus Rashford may or may not be a Barcelona player by the time the World Cup rolls around but he played his part in England’s qualification campaign.
The forward has regained his place in the squad in the wake of his move to Barcelona and signed off with an assist as the Three Lions ended their campaign with a perfect record.
Barcelona do have the option to make Rashford’s loan move permanent next summer, and he will surely hope his future is resolved before the tournament kicks off next June.
France
France were beaten finalists last time and will hope to go one better this time around. Jules Kounde may not be going through his best moment right now, but it will be a shock if he’s not in the starting XI next summer.
Didier Deschamps is set to step down as manager after the tournament, with Zinedine Zidane his rumored replacement, and he’ll want to sign off in the best way possible.
France certainly have a squad packed full of talent and may well take some stopping next year.
Germany
Marc-Andre ter Stegen may have lost his place in the Barcelona starting XI, but he is hoping to be Germany’s No.1 for the World Cup.
The goalkeeper may therefore move on loan in January in a bid to secure the playing time needed before the competition after a long lay-off due to injury.
Ter Stegen will be 34 by the time the tournament rolls around, meaning this could also be last shot at World Cup glory.
Heading for the play-offs
Robert Lewandowski will be hoping to play at World Cup 2026 but his Poland side must progress through the play-offs to take their place in the competition.
The 37-year-old, who is being tipped to leave Barcelona next summer, was on target on Monday as Poland finished their campaign with a 3-2 win over Malta to secure second place in the group.
The win keeps Lewandowski’s World Cup dreams alive for now, with Poland back in action in March and a tie against either Ireland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Kosovo.
Andreas Christensen’s Denmark and Roony Bardghji’s Sweden are also in the play-offs and could even face off in the next round.
The Danes will be in Pot 1 for the play-offs and so will face either Romania, Sweden, North Macedonia or Northern Ireland.
Who’s your tip for World Cup glory next summer? Share your predictions in the comments below!
