When former Barça players and coaches are taken into account, the number of players and coaches representing the club at the World Cup jumps to 34.
The World Cup in Qatar in 2022 will feature no fewer than 30 players and four managers who are either playing for or have previously played for FC Barcelona, so there are many reasons to be thrilled about it. Let’s look at each one separately first.
Netherlands, Senegal, Ecuador, and Qatar are in Group A.
Memphis and Frenkie de Jong, two players from Barça, are on the Dutch team, which is led by Louis van Gaal, who twice led the Catalan giants. There is also Xavi Simons, a teammate from PSV who spent nine years of his youth in La Masia, and Luuk de Jong, who made such a significant contribution to the Barça cause last season.
The host country also has a connection to Barça. Félix Sánchez Bas, a Catalan who formerly led the Barça U19 squad, is the head coach of Qatar.
Wales, the United States, Iran, and Group B
Only two teams have no active Barça players, however the United States team includes Sergio Dest, who is currently playing for AC Milan.
Group C: Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Argentina, and Poland
The star of the Poland team is undoubtedly Robert Lewandowski, but there are two other teams where we see two of our familiar faces. The 2013–14 Barça manager Tata Martino is now in charge of Mexico, and Leo Messi of Argentina obviously needs no introduction.
Australia, France, Denmark, Tunisia, and Group D
The representatives of Barça for the reigning world champions France are Ousmane Dembéle and Jules Kounde. Les Bleus also boast former Barça striker Antoine Griezmann, who is now back at Atlético Madrid.
The Denmark jersey will be worn by Andrea Christensen. Martin Braithwaite, a former Barça attacker who now plays for nearby rivals Espanyol, is also available to the Danes.
Group E: Japan, Costa Rica, Spain, Germany
Six members of the Spanish team, including Eric Garcia, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Balde, Ansu Fati, and Dani Olmo, are La Masia alums (the latter now of Leipzig). In a team that is also managed by former Barça player and coach Luis Enrique, there is Barça blood everywhere to be seen thanks to the inclusion of Pedri and Ferran Torres.
While Japanese winger Takefusa Kubo, now of Real Sociedad, spent four years at La Masia, German goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen also represents the current first team in Group E.
Group F: Morocco, Canada, Belgium, Croatia, and
There are no current Barça players in Group F, although the Moroccan team includes youthful Abde Ezzalzouli, who is now on loan from Barça to Osasuna.
Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, and Cameroon are in Group G.
Although Neymar Jr. and the seasoned Dani Alves are both former blaugranas, Raphinha is the only current Barça player in the Brazilian team.
Several members of the Cameroon team have ties to Barça. André Onana, a goalkeeper currently with Inter Milan, spent five years at La Masia, and in 2018, Martin Hongla, a center back on loan from Granada, played center back for Barça.
Portugal, Uruguay, South Korea, and Ghana are in Group H.
The Uruguayan lineup also features experienced attacker Luis Suárez, who is now back in his home country playing for Nacional, in addition to Barça center back Ronald Araujo.
Paik Seung-ho, a South Korean midfielder who played for Barça B and advanced through the ranks at La Masia, is currently signed to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of the K-League.
