​Barcelona’s preparations for the 2026/27 season will begin with a pronounced La Masia influence as Hansi Flick prepares to integrate a host of academy talents into the first-team environment. According to Mundo Deportivo, at least 10 youth players are expected to train with the senior squad when Barcelona’s pre-season officially gets underway, offering several youngsters the chance to showcase their abilities while many established stars remain away on World Cup duty.
The latest Barcelona news underscores that Flick intends to use the opening weeks of pre-season to closely evaluate some of La Masia’s brightest prospects. Notably, the first-team players are scheduled to report back on July 13, undergoing routine medical examinations before the first training session takes place the following day at the Ciutat Esportiva. Flick plans to bring several La Masia graduates into the fold during these early sessions, creating an ideal setting for the youth players to learn directly from the coaching staff and acclimate to the tempo and standards of senior football.
With a substantial portion of senior players still representing their countries at the FIFA World Cup, Flick will initially contend with a reduced pool of first-team options. According to reports, only Wojciech Szczesny, Gerard Martín, Andreas Christensen, Alejandro Balde, Héctor Fort, Marc Bernal, Marc Casado and Roony Bardghji will be fully available from the senior squad at the start of pre-season. This lean group presents a valuable opening for academy players to work directly under Flick and his staff during a pivotal period of the summer’s preparations.
The same outlets indicate that goalkeeper Aron Yaakobishvili is among those expected to join the first-team sessions, even as he weighs his next move amid ongoing transfer considerations. The bid to involve youth talents is designed to accelerate their development and potentially accelerate their path to regular first-team involvement, while giving Flick a longer look at how these players adapt to a professional environment.
In addition to the reported group already entering pre-season with Flick, several of Barcelona’s most promising youngsters are also anticipated to be part of the first-team setup in the near term. Among those expected to receive opportunities are Iker Rodríguez, Baba Kouruma, Ebrima Tunkara, Orien Goren, Alex González, Shane Kluivert, Xavi Espart, Tommy Marques, Toni Fernández, Jofre Torrents, Landry Farre, Álvaro Cortés, Oscar Gistau, and Juwensley Onstein. Each of these talents has shown potential within the academy ranks, and the early access to first-team training could be a meaningful step in their development.
New signing Hamza Abdelkarim is also included in Flick’s strategic plans for the squad. However, it’s possible that the Egyptian forward could be granted a few additional rest days after representing his country at the World Cup, depending on fitness and the club’s broader preparation schedule. The objective for Flick is clear: maximize the summer window to evaluate and integrate emerging talents while maintaining readiness for the start of the season and ensuring all players are primed for competitive action.
Overall, the 2026/27 pre-season is set to emphasize a robust La Masia presence, with Flick leveraging the temporary absence of several senior internationals to immerse youth prospects in a high-performance environment. This approach aims to build depth, foster development, and position Barcelona to compete at the highest level once the season begins.