Barcelona name Gordon and Raphinha in starting line-up as Yamal and Abdelkarim begin Basel friendly on bench

Barcelona have named Anthony Gordon and Raphinha in their starting line-up for their friendly against Swiss side Basel, while Lamine Yamal and Hamza Abdelkarim are among the substitutes.

The match is Barcelona’s penultimate pre-season fixture before they complete their preparations against Al Ahly in the Joan Gamper Trophy at Camp Nou next Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Joan Garcia starts for Hans-Dieter Flick’s side, with Barcelona continuing to assess their squad ahead of the new La Liga campaign.

Barcelona’s line-up is:

Goalkeeper: Joan Garcia

Defenders: Alejandro Balde, Eric Garcia, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin

Midfielders: Xavi Espart, Marc Bernal, Fermin Lopez

Forwards: Karim Adeyemi, Anthony Gordon, Raphinha

Abdelkarim, Yamal and Dani Olmo have been named on the substitutes’ bench. The selection means Barcelona begin the game with several notable attacking options available to them should they be required later in the match.

Most of Barcelona’s internationals who represented their countries at the 2026 World Cup are involved in the friendly. Pedri and Gavi are the exceptions, while the squad also includes a number of players whose futures have yet to be decided, as well as those currently returning from injury.

The Basel fixture is part of Barcelona’s final preparations for a season in which they will begin their La Liga title defence. They finished as champions in each of the past two editions, finishing above Real Madrid in the standings on both occasions.

Barcelona’s opening league match of the current season, against Athletic Club, was postponed because a large number of their players had taken part in the later stages of the World Cup. As a result, they will start their campaign in the second round with a match against Elche on Sunday, 23 August.

Their rearranged opening-round fixture against Athletic Club will then be played on Thursday, 27 August, at Camp Nou.

Before those league matches, Barcelona will close their friendly programme with the Joan Gamper Trophy against Al Ahly next Wednesday at Camp Nou. That match will provide Flick with one final opportunity to assess his available players and settle his plans before the competitive campaign begins.