​Barcelona president Joan Laporta is prepared to fly to the United States if Spain triumphs over Belgium in Friday’s 2026 World Cup quarter-final, securing a spot in the semi-finals, according to Mundo Deportivo. If La Roja advance, their semi-final is set for Tuesday, July 14, in Dallas, where they would meet the winner of the France versus Morocco quarter-final, a clash scheduled for today in Boston.
Spain’s squad features as many as eight players from Barcelona. Specifically, Joan Garcia, Pau Cubarsi, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Gavi, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres are all included in coach Luis de la Fuente’s lineup. With such a robust Blaugrana presence, Laporta is eager to be in the stands for the semi-final, lending his support to the players as they chase a place in the final.
Spain progressed to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 victory over Portugal, sealed by a stoppage-time strike from Mikel Merino. In the previous round, they had dismissed Austria with relative ease. Laporta’s potential trip to the United States would come if Spain advances to the last four. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Among Barça’s World Cup participants, Eric and Joan Garcia have not yet logged any playing minutes, while Gavi has taken on a more limited role. Nonetheless, the remainder of the Blaugrana contingent has contributed on the field and provided meaningful performances for Spain.
Dani Olmo has particularly impressed for the 2010 world champions with his technique and impact, while Lamine Yamal and Pedri have also displayed moments of quality. Ferran Torres has experienced a mix of highs and lows during the tournament. Undoubtedly, Pau Cubarsi has emerged as the standout Barcelona player at the World Cup thus far, anchoring Spain’s defense and helping the team record five clean sheets.
Meanwhile, Deco, Barcelona’s sporting director, is also expected to return from the United States after monitoring the club’s international representatives during the tournament. The former midfielder was in attendance to witness Spain’s victory over Portugal, keeping a close eye on the performances of Barcelona’s players on the world stage. The current plan is for Deco to rejoin Barcelona before Laporta travels to the United States, should Spain reach the semi-finals, in a move aligned with the club’s strategic aim to maximize exposure and monitor their stars during the tournament.