Barcelona superstar could miss out on FIFA World Cup squad despite stellar performances | OneFootball

Among all the new signings that were made last summer, Joan Garcia certainly stands out as one of the most successful in 2025.

Joining FC Barcelona from rivals Espanyol, Garcia has visibly improved Barcelona’s solidity in between the sticks and has emerged as one of the best-performing ‘keepers in La Liga this season.

Garcia’s mastery was evident once again as he awed the Barcelona bench with his saves against Villarreal. It was his sixth clean sheet in La Liga in just 12 matches.

Usually, a performance of such high calibre guarantees you a place in the national team. But Garcia has been particularly unlucky.

Joan Garcia to miss out on World Cup?

The first-choice Barcelona star was not fully fit when Spain were in action during the November international break.

And now, with the FIFA World Cup 2026 just around the corner, Garcia could end up missing out on the international, reports Cadena SER.

Joan Garcia has been in superb touch for Barcelona. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

The report points out how Spain coach Luis de la Fuente likes having a well-knit team, in which he can trust.

In Unai Simon, Remiro, and David Raya, de la Fuente already has three goalkeeping options he can trust and therefore, unless one of them picks up an injury, Garcia may remain out of his plans.

This is extremely unfortunate for Joan Garcia, considering the fact that he has outperformed each of the three players ahead of him in the pecking order this season.

However, there is a considerable part of the season still remaining, and it will be interesting to see if Garcia gets to make his debut for La Roja in the upcoming Finalissima in March, where Lionel Messi could potentially face Lamine Yamal.