FC Barcelona News: 1 April 2026; Robert Lewandowski and Poland miss out on World Cup, Joan Garcia makes Spain debut

Ciutat Esportiva – While Hansi Flick oversaw a second mid-week session with the skeleton squad still at Sant Joan Despí, the international break delivered contrasting headlines for three Barça representatives spread across Europe and the Middle East.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia became the latest La Masia graduate to wear the senior Spain shirt, entering Tuesday’s friendly against Egypt for his long-awaited debut. The 22-year-old Catalan, who has spent the season backing up Peña with Barça Atlètic, kept a clean sheet in the closing 25 minutes and immediately dedicated the milestone to his youth coaches.

The mood was far grimmer for Robert Lewandowski. Poland’s all-time leading scorer will miss the 2026 World Cup after Roony Bardghji and Sweden edged past Ukraine in the play-off semi-final, then defeated the Poles in Cardiff to secure the final European ticket. Lewandowski, who featured in both legs, leaves the national team still searching for a first World Cup knockout appearance.

Juventus continue to monitor the striker’s situation, yet people close to the player insist the speculation does not alter his timeline: he will wait for Barcelona’s contract proposal before deciding on his future, with no verdict expected before the end of April.

Elsewhere on international duty, teenage winger Xavi Espart alarmed Barça medical staff when he signalled discomfort in the 77th minute of Spain U-19’s victory over Serbia. Early tests suggest only minor muscle fatigue, and he is due back in Catalonia for further assessment.

Back at the training ground, Flick is preparing for a congested calendar: the club confirmed that three meetings with Atlético Madrid in under two weeks—Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, league clash, and Champions League quarter-final—mirror past schedules rather than setting a new precedent.

Off the pitch, the academy wrapped its Brunete tournament campaign with a third-place finish. Destiny, the youth side’s prolific forward, scored a hat-trick in the consolation match to secure bronze and underline the production line’s health.

Barcelona expect the bulk of their internationals to return by Thursday, when full-squad work begins ahead of the decisive spring stretch.