​Hamza Abdelkarim is set to join Hansi Flick’s first-team squad for pre-season training in Barcelona on Monday, despite only recently returning from international duty with Egypt following the 2026 World Cup. The teenage talent featured in four matches as Egypt progressed to the knockout stage, where their campaign ended in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Argentina.
According to reports from Spain, Abdelkarim has chosen to forgo the two-week vacation he is entitled to and will travel directly to Barcelona. He is determined to seize the opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to Hansi Flick and persuade the Barcelona manager that he deserves first-team minutes in the 2026-27 season.
Flick is expected to oversee a large cohort of youngsters at the start of pre-season, with many senior players either still competing at the World Cup or taking a break after their tournament duties. This influx of emerging talent will give Flick a chance to assess Abdelkarim’s readiness for higher-level competition and to integrate him into the club’s tactical plans as they prepare for the new campaign.
Barcelona have confirmed that Abdelkarim’s move is now permanent, following an initial loan spell in the winter transfer window. The permanent signing marks a significant step in Abdelkarim’s development, signaling that the club sees long-term value in his potential. The early pre-season training camp will thus offer him a pivotal platform to showcase his technique, versatility, and readiness to contribute to Barcelona’s first team in the 2026-27 season.
Abdelkarim’s decision to bypass the lengthy break and head straight to Barcelona underscores his ambition and commitment to making an impact at the highest level. With Flick evaluating a broad group of young prospects at the outset of pre-season, Abdelkarim will have the opportunity to demonstrate his creativity, work rate, and technical skill in the run-up to the start of the campaign, hoping to secure regular minutes as Barcelona aim to contend for domestic and European honours in the upcoming season.
As the club continues to bolster its youth integration strategy, Abdelkarim’s arrival at pre-season training in Barcelona is a notable development for both the player and the club. His performance in the early-phase sessions could influence how Flick and the management structure the squad and allocate opportunities for academy graduates and young signings as they build toward a competitive 2026-27 campaign.