Barcelona are already planning for Hamza Abdelkarim’s development ahead of the 2026-27 season, with the club expected to use a two-step pathway that could see the young striker involved with the first team before spending most of the campaign with Barca Atletic.
Head coach Hansi Flick has publicly acknowledged that Abdelkarim is on the radar, saying the youngster “could be an option” for next season. Flick has also indicated that he has been following the player closely, which suggests Barcelona view him as more than a long-term prospect and are actively considering how best to integrate him into their structure.
According to Diario Sport, Abdelkarim may join the senior squad for pre-season preparations, although that would depend on his schedule after the World Cup and any holiday time that follows. If that happens, it would offer him an early chance to work with the first-team group, learn Flick’s methods and adapt to the pace and demands of Barcelona’s senior environment before the competitive season begins.
After that initial period, Barcelona’s current plan is for Abdelkarim to link up with Barca Atletic rather than remain permanently with the first team. The club want him to play an important role under Juliano Belletti, who is expected to oversee his development in a more regular match environment. The idea is to give him consistent minutes, responsibility and a central attacking role that can help him continue to grow without the pressure that comes with full-time senior football.
Barcelona also reportedly want Abdelkarim to partner highly regarded attacker Oscar Gistau in the reserve side’s attack. That pairing is seen as part of a broader plan to build an exciting and productive frontline for Barca Atletic next season, while also ensuring that Abdelkarim gets meaningful game time in a competitive setting.
Even so, the move to Barca Atletic should not be taken as a sign that Abdelkarim is excluded from first-team opportunities. Flick has already shown during his time at Barcelona that he is prepared to hand chances to young players when he believes they are ready. If Abdelkarim performs well for the reserve side and continues to impress in training, he could force his way into the senior picture sooner than expected.
For Barcelona, the strategy appears to balance patience with opportunity. The club seem determined not to rush Abdelkarim, but they also want to keep him close enough to the first team so that a breakthrough remains possible. A strong pre-season, combined with a successful spell at Barca Atletic, could give the striker a genuine route toward a first-team debut during the 2026-27 campaign.
In short, Barcelona are preparing a structured development plan for Abdelkarim that includes pre-season exposure, reserve-team responsibility and a possible pathway to senior football if he makes the expected progress.
