Dean Huijsen Reacts to Being Left Out of Spain's World Cup Squad
Dean Huijsen does not seem thrilled about being left out of Spain's World Cup squad. With Luis de la Fuente making some tough calls ahead of the tournament, the 21-year-old defender was one of the notable names to miss out.
Huijsen did not say much directly, but he appeared to send a subtle message through his Instagram Stories after the decision. For a young player hoping to be part of Spain's plans on the biggest stage, the omission clearly stung.
The Real Madrid defender was expected by many to make Luis de la Fuente's final list, but he missed out after a difficult few months at club level.
Dean Huijsen reposted an unofficial LALIGA team of the season to his Instagram story
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 25, 2026
The 21-year-old was left off of De la Fuente's World Cup roster pic.twitter.com/9fLG2UjoCG
Huijsen did not directly criticize the call, but his social media activity said enough. After his father shared a Team of the Season graphic featuring him, Huijsen reposted it, which fans saw as a clear reaction to the omission.
A Young Spanish Team Looks to Conquer a Second World Cup
Luis de la Fuente has taken a few calculated risks, especially by including Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams while both are managing injury concerns. Spain clearly believes both players are important enough to wait on, but their fitness will be watched closely before the opening game.
The biggest talking point is the lack of Real Madrid players. That is unusual for Spain, and it has made Dean Huijsen's absence stand out even more. Dani Carvajal also missed out, leaving fans questioning whether club form played a bigger role than reputation.
De la Fuente insisted that his choices were not about club loyalty. His message was simple: he picked the group he thinks gives Spain the best chance.
There were also some fresh names in defense, with Eric García and Marc Pubill getting the nod. Meanwhile, Gavi's return adds an emotional layer after his long injury setback.
Spain still have a strong mix of experience, young talent, and creativity. But with injuries, omissions, and no Madrid presence, this squad announcement has already given fans a lot to argue about before the tournament even begins.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 3:40 PM.