11 Barcelona players have been called up by 7 different international teams and will wear the colours of their country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.


As a result of the official deadline to announce the final squad lists for the 32 international team, Barca will be sending 11 players to represent their country. FC Barcelona is one of the clubs sending most players to the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The FIFA World Cup will be held between 9th June (opening game: Germany v Costa Rica) and 9th July (Final). Only Chelsea, Milan, Arsenal and Juventus will be sending more players.


Spain
Spanish national coach Luis Aragonés has called up Barca midfielders Xavi Hernández and Andrés Iniesta as well as FC Barcelona´s captain Carles Puyolin his 23-man suad for Spain.


Brazil

barca superstar Ronaldinho and defensive midfielder Edmilson are included into the Brazilian squad and both have got the opportunity to defend the World Cup title they won with Brazil in Corea/Japan 2002.
Brazil is undoubtfully the top favourite of this world´s biggest and most important tournament.


Argentina

U20 World Cup winner and Barca relevation Lionel Messi will be at his first senior World Cup in Germany. Many pundits delaring him as one of the protagonists in this summer´s World Cup.


Mexico
Rafa Márquez is supposed to lead his Mexican team as their skipper in the Worl Cup.


Sweden

Veteran striker Henrik Larsson has been called up for the Swedish team. His experience and goals should help to proceed into the second round of the World Cup.


Portugal
Deco (Portugal) has been called up by team manager Felipe Scolari. The Barca midfielder is one of the cornerstone´s for the Portugues national team.


The Netherlands

Barca defender Giovanni van Bronckhorst and midfielder Mark van Bommel are member´s of the dutch national team and Bond´s coach Marco Van Basten counts on the reliable services provided by the two Barca stars.


Chelsea, with 16 international players, is the team who will release by far the most to play in World Cup this summer, followed by AC Milan (13), Arsenal and Juventus (12 each), Bayern Munich, Manchester United and FC Barcelona (all 11), Real Madrid (10), Liverpool (9), Ajax (9) and Inter (8).


Surprisingly and despite having a very good season with Barca, both, winger Ludovic Giuly (France) and goalkeeper Víctor Valdés (Spain) have not been included into their final 23-man squad.


Apart from the 11 players currently playing for FC Barcelona some former Barca players have made it to the world Cup. Javier Saviola (Argentina), who is still under contract with FC Barcelona but who played for this year´s UEFA Cup winner Sevilla and who is expected to move to Sevilla permanently this summer. Also former player´s Luis García (Liverpool/Spain) and Cesc Fábregas (Arsenal/Spain), Phillip Cocu (PSV/Holland) will be present in Germany.


FC Barcelona Blog will inform you in their Series "Barca Player´s at the World Cup" during the FIFA tournament.

FC Barcelona Blog wishes all Barca and former Barca players good luck and success in Germany!