The FC Barcelona international agenda

Another international week is upon us, and here's the lowdown on when and where the different Barça players will be featuring.

Spain: Pau Cubarsí, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal & Ferran Torres

Netherlands: Frenkie de Jong

Spain v Netherlands (UEFA Nations League Quarter Finals)
First leg: Thursday 20 March at 8.45pm CET (Rotterdam)
Second leg: Sunday 23 March at 8.45pm CET (Valencia)

There are no fewer than five Barça players in the Spain squad, and that's two fewer than there were before both Íñigo Martinez and Marc Casadó had to withdraw with injuries. Spain are looking to defend the title that they won in 2023, and the winner of this two-legged tie with the Netherlands will be advancing to the Final Four, which will be hosted by either Germany or Italy, depending on which team wins that quarter final.

Of course, there will be a very familiar face lining up for the opposition, clubmate Frenkie de Jong.

France: Jules Kounde

France v Croatia (UEFA Nations League Quarter Finals)
First leg: Thursday 20 March at 8.45pm CET (Split)
Second leg: Sunday 23 March at 8.45pm CET (Paris)

Jules Kounde is also hoping to be part of the Final Four, but in order to do so, his France are going to have to beat Croatia in a repeat of the 2018 World Cup Final.

Poland: Robert Lewandowski

Poland v Lithuania (World Cup qualifier)
Friday 21 March at 8.45pm CET (Warsaw)
Poland v Malta (World Cup qualifier)
Monday 24 March at 8.45pm CET (Warsaw)

For the European countries not involved in Nations Cup matches, qualification begins this week for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. Poland are one of those, and Lewandowski's side open their schedule with two very winnable home fixtures. Their group is completed by Finland and the loser of the Netherlands v Spain game.

Brazil: Raphinha

Brazil v Colombia (World Cup qualifier)
Thursday 20 March at 9.45pm local (1.45 am Friday CET) in Brasilia
Argentina v Brazil (World Cup qualifier)
Tuesday 25 March at 9pm local (1am Wednesday CET) in Buenos Aires

It hasn't been a brilliant World Cup qualifying campaign so far for Brazil, but with an increased quota of places on offer in Conmebol, Raphinha and his countrymen are still comfortable enough in fifth place in the ten-team table. This week they take on fourth-placed Colombia and then comes what is always a fiercely engaging contest as they visit leaders Argentina.

Uruguay: Ronald Araujo

Uruguay v Argentina (World Cup qualifier)
Friday 21 March at 8.30pm local (12.30 am Saturday CET) in Montevideo
Bolivia v Uruguay (World Cup qualifier)
Tuesday 25 March at 4pm local (9pm CET) in El Alto

Araujo's Uruguay also play Argentina this week in a top-of-the-table clash. After that, they visit Bolivia. Not only do they have to battle with a side that's had a decent campaign thus far, but there's also the issue of altitude. That's always a difficulty for visiting teams in Bolivia, and El Alto is even higher than usual.

Spain U21: Fermin Lopez, Pablo Torre & Gerard Martin

Spain v Czechia (Friendly)
Friday 21 March at 7.30pm CET (Lorca)
Germany v Spain (Friendly)
Tuesday 25 March at 8.30pm CET (Darmstadt)

Spain's U21 team is preparing for the European Championship in Slovakia this summer with a couple of friendlies. Fermín and Pablo Torre are already regulars in the side, but this time they are being joined by Gerard Martín, who surprisingly enough had never before been called up for international duty at any age level. Now's his chance.