Barcelona clear final registration hurdle ahead of La Liga opener

FC Barcelona have completed their pre-season registration scramble in the nick of time, officially confirming Andreas Christensen for the 2026/27 campaign just two days before the club's La Liga opener against Elche.

The Blaugrana confirmed the Dane's re-registration with La Liga on Friday evening, after his previous contract expired over the summer and he required fresh paperwork to feature in Spain's top flight. The news was greeted with a collective sigh of relief in the Camp Nou dugout, where coach Hansi Flick had spent much of the day unable to call on any of his new-look squad.

Squad numbers confirmed for new signings

La Liga's official website has now listed squad numbers for the club's recent arrivals, a listing widely treated as unofficial confirmation of registration. Summer signings Rodri, Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi are all registered and set to feature against Elche on Sunday.

• Rodri will wear the #16 shirt.
• Anthony Gordon takes #17.
• Karim Adeyemi will wear #14.
• Andreas Christensen will wear #15 after signing his new contract.

João Cancelo has not yet been listed on La Liga's website, though it is expected the full-back will wear #2 as he did last season. Another new arrival, Jesse Bisiwu, will carry a B team squad number for now.

Fermín López and Marc Casadó shirt changes

The reshuffle has ripple effects across the squad. Fermín López has vacated the #16 shirt — worn last season — and will now take #7, previously worn by Ferran Torres.

"It makes me a bit sad to give up the number 16 because it had a special place in my heart after these seasons with the first team. But I'm sure it will be in good hands," López said.

Gordon, meanwhile, has inherited the #17 from Marc Casadó, who has not left the club yet but is considered on his way out of Barça. Casadó currently holds no squad number.

Smoother sailing on Financial Fair Play front

Registrations have been a recurring headache for Barcelona in recent seasons, with the club repeatedly forced to scramble under the weight of Financial Fair Play restrictions and a lack of incoming revenue. Local media reports this time around, however, point to considerably smoother sailing, with all signs indicating the new signings have been successfully registered ahead of Sunday's opener at Elche.