FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.10.2009 17:14

Barcelona stars in World Cup action

Jesús Carrillo

Spain and Brazil have qualified for the World Cup Finals next summer, but the rest of the nations represented by Barça stars still have it all to do as the final round of qualifiers approaches over the next few days.

Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta are all in the squad for the games in Armenia, on Saturday, and Bosnia, on Wednesday. Vicente del Bosque has assured that he will play a strong team in both matches despite being through already.

Alves with Brasil

Brazil have also made it to the final in South Africa so Dani Alves will be able ot enjoy the game in La Paz against Bolivia. On Wednesday Dunga then sees his side play at home to Venezuela.

Messi with Argentina

Argentina’s situation is far more precarious as they lie fifth in the table with Brazil and Paraguay having qualified and Chile on the brink of following them. The Albiceleste meet Peru at the weekend and then Uruguay on Wednesday and must win both matches.

Ibra with Sweden

Sweden take on Denmark in Group One and Zlatan Irbahimovic has already been pinpointed as the player that the Danes have to watch. The Swedes then take on Albania on Wednesday and are sitting in second ahead of the two matches.

Henry and Abidal with France

Thierry Henry and Éric Abidal will be hoping that they can help France to consecutive victories this weekend as the 1998 champions take on the Faroe Islands and Austria in home matches. Les Bleus are currently second in Group Seven and are four points behind leaders Serbia and four above the Austrians, who are third.

Mexico and Ivory Coast

Raf Márquez is back in the Mexico side after recovering from injury. The Tricolor have improved considerably under Javier Aguirre since he replaced Sven Goran Eriksson at the helm and wins against El Salvador and Trindidad & Tobago should the country through to the finals.

Ivory Coast are in action on Saturday and Touré Yaya is with the squad in Malawi. A draw will be enough for the Barça midfielder’s nation to go through.