16 Barça players called up for internationals

Spain coach Julen Lopetegui has announced his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Israel. Four FC Barcelona players have been included in the list; Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Andrés Iniesta.

The games could see Spain cement their place in next summer’s tournament in Russia with the first taking place in Alicante on Friday 6 October at 8.45pm CET against Albania. The second comes on Monday 9 October away to Israel, also at 8.45pm CET. Lopetegui’s team need just three points to book their place in the 2018 World Cup.

Elsewhere, twelve more FC Barcelona players have been called up by their national teams. More details below:

• Lucas Digne, Samuel Umtiti (France)
• Nélson Semedo, André Gomes (Portugal)
• Marc-André ter Stegen (Germany)
• Jasper Cillessen (Holland)
• Thomas Vermaelen (Belgium)
• Ivan Rakitic (Croatia)
• Leo Messi, Javier Mascherano (Argentina)
• Luis Suárez (Uruguay)
• Paulinho (Brazil)