FC Barcelona sets record with ten players in 2026 World Cup semifinals

FC Barcelona will have ten first‑team players in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the highest club representation in the tournament’s history. The eight Spanish internationals are Joan García, Pau Cubarsí, Eric García, Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal, joined by Jules Koundé for France and Anthony Gordon for England. This surpasses the previous club record of eight semifinalists.

Atlético Madrid follows with nine players and Arsenal with eight, while clubs from Spain’s LaLiga collectively contribute 29 players – 36 % of the Spanish‑born squad – the largest share among Europe’s top leagues. Because clubs with at least one player in the semifinals receive an automatic postponement of their league start, LaLiga moved Barcelona’s opening match to the second round, with the first‑round fixture against Athletic Bilbao shifted to later in August.

The semifinals will be played in the United States: Spain faces France at Dallas’s AT&T Stadium on 14 July, and Argentina meets England in Atlanta on 15 July. The record representation underscores the growing influence of LaLiga talent on the world stage.