Barcelona plan to promote 18-year-old academy forward to Hansi Flick’s first team

Barcelona plan to promote 18-year-old academy forward to Hansi Flick’s first team Hamza Abdelkarim’s profile has grown significantly during the 2026 FIFA World Cup . Competing on football’s biggest stage has given the 18-year-old Egyptian striker worldwide exposure. The young striker’s performances have only strengthened the high regard in which he is already held at FC Barcelona. Representing Egypt at the tournament, the tall centre-forward featured in every match played by the Pharaohs, gaining valuable experience against elite international opposition. Hamza headed directly to the first team So much so that, according to SPORT , inside Barcelona’s sporting department, there is little expectation that Abdelkarim will play a major role for Barça Atletic. Instead, he is viewed as a player whose profile could be more useful to the first team. The Egyptian offers something Barcelona currently lack: a genuine target man capable of providing a physical option in attack. Headed to the first team directly. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images) Hansi Flick does not have another striker with that profile, making Hamza a potential alternative from the bench as a Plan B or even Plan C in certain matches. Moreover, Barcelona have signed Ignasi Quer to strengthen Barça Atlètic, where he is expected to compete with Oscar Gistau for the number nine position. Therefore, despite spending the second half of the 2025/26 season with Barcelona’s Juvenil A side, Hamza is likely to jump directly to the first team instead of the reserve team. A traditional number nine Abdelkarim is regarded as an old-school centre-forward. He combines a strong physical presence with effective hold-up play, works tirelessly for the team, and offers a genuine penalty-box presence. Although Barcelona believe there is still considerable room for improvement in almost every aspect of his game, the Catalans also see enormous potential in him. After overcoming bureaucratic issues that initially delayed his eligibility to play, Hamza scored six goals in just over two months of competitive football, reinforcing the belief that he could develop into an important player. Pre-season with first team already planned Hamza is scheduled to report for Barcelona’s preseason on 13 July alongside the first-team squad. However, it is considered likely that he will first receive a short holiday. Hamza got meaningful minutes at the World Cup with Egypt. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images) The young striker finished last season by playing in the Copa de Campeones Juvenil final against Real Madrid before immediately joining Egypt’s national team training camp, leaving him with virtually no break between club and international duties. For that reason, Barcelona are expected to give him a brief period of rest before he joins Hansi Flick’s preparations, although the final decision has yet to be made. A loan not ruled out but unlikely Barcelona have not entirely dismissed the possibility of sending Abdelkarim out on loan to gain experience at a higher level than the Segunda Federacion . However, that option is currently considered unlikely. One reason is the uncertainty surrounding Barcelona’s search for a new striker. The club are still without a recognised number nine, and there is no guarantee when that situation will be resolved, despite Julian Alvarez remaining the club’s primary transfer target. With Ferran Torres currently the only natural alternative in that role for the first team, and expected to return later because of his international commitments, Hamza’s chances of staying close to the senior squad have increased even further.