FC Barcelona Set for Fifth Straight World Cup Final

Spain Advances After 2‑1 Win Over Belgium

Spain secured a 2‑1 victory over Belgium in the quarter‑finals, guaranteeing that at least one Barcelona player will appear in the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The result pushes Luis de la Fuente’s side into the semi‑finals, where they will meet France. With eight Barcelona graduates now on the roster, the Catalan club’s presence in the championship is assured.

Barcelona’s Full Roster Heading to the Final

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has called up every available Barcelona star for the tournament. The squad includes Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal. Their next opponent, France, also fields former Barcelona defender Jules Kounde, meaning the two finalists could each be represented by the same club. If both sides progress, Barcelona would see players on opposite benches for the decisive match.

A Record‑Breaking Presence Since 2010

The last World Cup final without a Barcelona player occurred in 2006, when Italy beat France after a penalty shoot‑out. That summer Barcelona signed Lilian Thuram and Gianluca Zambrotta, both future finals participants. Since the 2010 tournament, Barcelona has been represented in every final, starting with Iniesta’s extra‑time winner for Spain. Subsequent appearances came via Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano with Argentina in 2014, Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembele with France in 2018, and Dembele together with Jules Kounde in 2022.

Five Consecutive Finals and What Lies Ahead

Spain now advances to the semi‑finals, where they will face France, securing Barcelona’s involvement in a fifth straight World Cup final if the quarter‑final outcome holds. The streak began after Italy’s 2006 triumph and has been uninterrupted through five tournaments. Should England, which features Anthony Gordon, also reach the final, Barcelona could see players on both sides of the championship match. This level of representation highlights the club’s enduring impact on football’s biggest stage.