Spain faces the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifying phase in a tense atmosphere. Luis de la Fuente's squad list, published just a few days ago, has set off the alarm in the Barça camp. In Barça's locker room, reactions have been immediate, with Pedri and Gavi leading the way.
Both players believe that the Spanish coach hasn't been fair with the list drawn up for this break. The discontent has reached the point where they're considering a direct conversation with the coach from La Rioja. From the training camp, they assure that the issue won't go unnoticed and that it will be addressed face to face.
Decisions that annoy Can Barça
The presence of up to seven Barça footballers seemed to confirm the good current relationship between Barça and the national team. Cubarsí, Fermín, Olmo, Ferran Torres, Lamine, and Pedri received the call, although in Gavi's case it was canceled due to knee discomfort. However, the atmosphere quickly soured due to two very significant absences.
Luis de la Fuente decided to leave out two players who, in the Barça locker room, are considered untouchable. The general feeling is that the national team loses potential by leaving out footballers who have shown a sufficient level. That's the criterion Gavi and Pedri can't quite understand.
The young Barça captains have stated privately that the coach's decisions generate frustration. They believe that the squad list doesn't reflect the current performance of all the footballers. They make it clear: they don't understand why teammates who are in great form are left without a reward.
Matches that mark the start
Spain will make its debut in this qualifying phase against Bulgaria on September 4. Three days later, the second match will take place against Türkiye in a highly anticipated encounter due to Arda Güler's presence. Two important fixtures that will open the race to the World Cup.
The published list has made it clear that the coach is betting on a mix of experience and youth. Among the new faces are Jorge de Frutos, from Rayo Vallecano, and Aleix García, now at Bayer Leverkusen. The latter has come in as a replacement for Gavi, whose injury keeps him in Barcelona recovering.
Even so, at Barça they believe that the balance isn't real and that a mistake has been made. They think that at least one of their omitted players deserved to be on this initial list. That's why Pedri and company intend to bring the issue directly to De la Fuente.
The great forgotten ones
The first of those singled out is a footballer who has been standing out since the start of the season. He was decisive in Barça's draw against Rayo Vallecano and has earned Flick's trust. His absence has surprised both in Barcelona and in the national press.
The second absence is the one that has caused the most noise. It's a player who, despite his youth, is already established in the first Barça team. His performance in recent weeks suggested that he would have a guaranteed spot in the squad. Yet, Luis de la Fuente has chosen to leave him out without giving too many explanations.
The two players left out of the squad are Joan García and Alejandro Balde. In the Barça locker room, they don't understand how the goalkeeper and the left-back have been ignored. For Pedri and Gavi, these are unjustifiable decisions that reduce the quality of the Spanish national team.
The discontent is evident: the Barça players will demand explanations from Luis de la Fuente at the training camp. They believe that Joan García and Balde deserved to be on the list and they're not going to allow a similar situation to happen again.