FC Barcelona has officially registered its squad for the upcoming 2026-27 UEFA Champions League, and the announcement has brought to light an intriguing situation involving two young talents, Hamza Abdelkarim and Jesse Bisiwu. Both players have been included on the club's A-list, which is notable given that they are currently part of the reserve team, Barça Atlètic, in LaLiga.
Under UEFA regulations, clubs are required to register a maximum of 25 players on their A-list for the Champions League. However, the inclusion of Abdelkarim and Bisiwu is somewhat unconventional, as both players do not yet qualify for the B-list, which is typically reserved for academy players. This B-list allows clubs to include players who have spent a certain amount of time in their youth system, but neither Abdelkarim nor Bisiwu meets the necessary criteria at this moment.
To be eligible for the B-list, players must have been at the club's academy for at least two uninterrupted years or have been with the club for three consecutive years, with a single loan to another team allowed. Since neither player has fulfilled these requirements, Barcelona has opted to register them on the A-list to ensure they can participate in the prestigious tournament.
While this decision allows both Abdelkarim and Bisiwu to be part of the Champions League squad, it is essential to note that their inclusion does not signify a permanent promotion to the first team for domestic competitions. They will continue to play for Barça Atlètic, where they will wear shirt numbers 29 and 27, respectively.
In contrast to Abdelkarim and Bisiwu, another young player, Roony Bardghji, has been notably left out of the Champions League squad due to a serious knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the entire season. This unfortunate setback highlights the challenges young players face as they navigate their early careers.
Additionally, Barcelona has another young talent, Brian Farinas, who has a different registration status. Farinas is part of the club's home-grown contingent and qualifies for the B-list, allowing him to be registered more flexibly. He has already received a first-team number 4 for LaLiga and will wear number 28 in the Champions League. This distinction allows him to participate in European fixtures without taking up a spot on the more limited A-list.
In summary, the inclusion of Hamza Abdelkarim and Jesse Bisiwu in Barcelona's Champions League squad underscores the club's commitment to integrating young talent into their plans, even as they remain part of the reserve team. Their situation reflects the complexities of UEFA's registration rules, which aim to balance the development of young players with the competitive demands of European football.
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