FC Barcelona kick off their UEFA Champions League 2026-27 campaign at home against Feyenoord, with Hansi Flick naming a 23-player squad for the UCL Matchday 1 clash. The Catalan giants arrive in strong domestic form after winning all four of their opening La Liga matches. Barcelona have also scored 17 goals in those four games, their third-best tally at this stage of the competition.
The Barcelona vs Feyenoord European opener brings a familiar challenge. The reigning Spanish champions have won their last four matches against Dutch clubs and remain unbeaten at home against Eredivisie opposition. Their only previous meeting with Feyenoord came in the 1974-75 European Cup, when Barcelona won 3-0 at home after a goalless first leg.
Barcelona Squad vs Feyenoord: Team News And Key Absentees
Hansi Flick has selected three goalkeepers in Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny and Dominik Livakovic. The defensive group includes Joao Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martín and Jules Kounde.
Pedri, Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal and Brian Farinas form the midfield options. Up front, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Gabriel Jesus, Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon and Hamza Abdelkarim are available.
Eric Garcia misses the Champions League match through suspension after his red card against Atletico Madrid in last season’s UCL campaign. Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji are also unavailable because of knee injuries.
Raphinha enters the contest in sublime form. The Brazilian has scored in each of Barcelona’s first four league matches this season.
Meanwhile, Yamal needs only two more Champions League goals to equal Kylian Mbappe’s record of 13 goals in the competition before turning 21.
Barcelona vs Feyenoord: Expected Starting XI
Flick is expected to retain a 4-3-3 formation, with Joan Garcia starting between the posts. Kounde and Cancelo should occupy the full-back positions, while Cubarsí and Christensen are tipped to form the central defensive pairing.
Rodri is expected to anchor midfield, with Fermin and Pedri providing movement and creativity ahead of him. The attack could feature Yamal on the right, Raphinha on the left and Gordon through the middle.
Barcelona Predicted XI: Joan Garcia, Kounde, Cubarsi, Christensen, Cancelo, Fermin, Rodri, Pedri, Yamal, Raphinha, Gordon
Barcelona’s home record gives Flick’s side another boost. They have won nine of their last 11 Champions League league-phase home games.
ALSO READ: NFL Schedule 2026: NFL Games Tonight, Week 1 Matchups, Key Games And Road To Super Bowl LXI
