The 2026 World Cup is not far away now. The national side coaches are likely ruminating over who to pick for their squads for the tournament being held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, and Jules Kounde is now the first blaugrana confirmed to be going to the 23rd edition of the cup.
Second World Cup for the defender
This will be Kounde’s second World Cup. His first appearance came in 2022 in Qatar and he reached the final, only to lose to Leo Messi and Argentina. This second appearance at the World Cup is another reward for the Barça right back, who has featured 46 times this season under Hansi Flick. He is a go-to-guy for Didier Deschamps too.
The road to the World Cup saw him start four out of five qualifier. The tournament itself starts in earnest on 11 June at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The defender was also in the squad for the last two European Cups in 2021 and 2024.
The Barça number 23 has a chance of playing his first match in the World Cup against Senegal on 16 June (kick-off 9.00pm CEST) at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. Iraq and Norway will also be facing France in Group I.
Brazil next to name squad potentially featuring blaugranes
Carlo Ancelotti is set to name the Canarinha squad on 18 May and Raphinha has a good chance of being the second blaugrana confirmed to be going to the World Cup.
Roony Bardghji made a few Swedish squads for the first time this season. However, the forward won’t be going to the tournament, as coach Graham Potter left him out of the final squad.
With club competitions now winding down, the World Cup is starting to come into real focus, with the countdown to one of the most hotly anticipated tournaments of the year well and truly on.