‘Will be supporting them from home’ – Real Madrid defender sends classy message after painful World Cup snub | OneFootball

Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen has reacted after being left out of Spain’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in one of the most surprising selection decisions made by Luis de la Fuente.

The 21-year-old centre-back took to social media, where he shared a respectful message supporting the national team despite his disappointment at missing out on the tournament.

Posting a photo of himself wearing Spain colours, Huijsen wrote, “Huge congratulations to my teammates who will be competing in the World Cup.

“I’ll be supporting them from home like any other Spaniard.”

A surprising exclusion

The Real Madrid defender made his senior Spain debut in March 2025 during the Nations League clash against the Netherlands and immediately established himself as a trusted option under De la Fuente. 

Since that debut, he had gone on to feature in six additional matches, starting every game and completing the full 90 minutes each time.

For that reason, his absence from the final World Cup squad came as a major surprise for many.

Huijsen had a difficult season

Although Huijsen’s rapid rise with the national team initially suggested he was becoming a key part of Spain’s future plans, inconsistency during the 2025/26 season may have ultimately worked against him.

Dean Huijsen will not be at the World Cup. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

The young defender remains one of the most talented centre-backs in Spanish football, but certain performances throughout the campaign raised doubts within the coaching staff ahead of the final squad selection.

Competition for places in Spain’s defence has also become increasingly intense over the last year, with several players producing strong seasons at club level.

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Huijsen’s omission appears to have been Eric Garcia of Barcelona, who ultimately secured a place in the squad instead.

As such, Garcia’s versatility during the second half of the season helped convince De la Fuente to favour the Barcelona defender over the Real Madrid talent.