Eight FC Barcelona players in Spain World Cup squad

Spanish national team coach Luis Enrique has named his 26 man squad for the World Cup in Qatar which includes no less than seven Barça players:  Eric García, Jordi Alba, Pedri, Gavi, Busquets, Ferran Torres, Balde and Ansu Fati. The blaugranes have not had such an important representation in the squad since they provided eight players in 2010 for the World Cup in South Africa. 

Alba and Busquets experience

Of the 8 players selected, one is a former World Cup winner in Sergio Busquets who claimed the trophy as part of the 2010 tournament winning squad. The Barça midfielder will be playing in his fourth World Cup. 

Aside from Busquets, another player with previous experience of the tournament is Jordi Alba. The left back will be playing in his third World Cup after making appearances in 2014 and 2018. 

Debut for the young generation 

Of the younger players it will be a first World Cup for Pedri, Eric Garcia and Ferran although all three did feature in the European Championships lasts summer, helping Spain to the semi-finals. 

In contrast, for Gavi, Balde and Ansu Fati it will be first tournament with the Spanish national team. The midfielder, at just 18 years of age, will be the youngest player ever to represent Spain in the World Cup, breaking the record held by Cesc Fàbregas who was part of the World Cup squad in 2006 aged 19.

Luis Enrique's side make their tournament debut on 23 September against Costa Rica, before then taking on Germany four days later and Japan on 1 December. 

The full squad 

The 26 players selected are: Unai Simón (Athletic Club), Robert Sánchez (Brighton), David Raya (Brentford), Eric García (FC Barcelona), Laporte (Manchester City), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Carvajal (Real Madrid), Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Balde (FC Barcelona), Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona), Hugo Guillamón (Valencia), Gavi (FC Barcelona), Pedri (FC Barcelona), Carlos Soler (PSG), Sergio Busquets (FC Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Koke (Atlético de Madrid), Marcos Llorente (Atlético de Madrid), Morata (Atlético de Madrid), Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Ferran Torres (FC Barcelona), Asensio (Real Madrid), Pablo Sarabia (PSG), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Yeremy Pino (Villarreal) and Ansu Fati (FC Barcelona).