Eric Garcia and Gavi among eight Barcelona players named in Spain's 2026 World Cup squad

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente named eight Barcelona players in his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on Monday, with defender Eric Garcia and midfielder Gavi among those heading to North America this summer.

For Garcia, the call-up ends a four-year absence from the national team that stretches back to Spain’s round-of-16 exit at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The 24-year-old has been one of Barcelona’s most consistent performers throughout the 2025-26 La Liga title-winning campaign, and he wasted little time expressing his emotions on social media.

“December 2022, eliminated from the World Cup in Qatar. This was the last time I wore the shirt of the Spanish national team,” Garcia wrote. “Since then I had to make many decisions and work hard without making noise to be better, on and off the field, to play again and compete for everything with my club and, four years later, the opportunity comes to be able to experience my second World Cup. More prepared and motivated than ever to fight for everything with this group of players.”

Gavi’s inclusion is arguably the more emotionally charged story. The 21-year-old has endured a difficult two years plagued by injury, but his return to fitness in the second half of the season was enough to convince de la Fuente to hand him a place in the squad.

“A dream come true to be able to play my second World Cup representing my country,” Gavi posted. “But this one is going to taste different after all the suffering, of falling and getting up twice in three years, but I assure you that I will give everything in me to be able to bring the World Cup home. It is a pride and an honour to be on this list of 26.”

The pair’s inclusion underlines Barcelona’s standing as the dominant force in Spanish football this season. With eight representatives in de la Fuente’s final squad, the La Liga champions contribute more players to Spain’s World Cup roster than any other club.