Dean Huijsen Reflects on World Cup Omission After Spain's 4-1 Win Over Croatia

Dean Huijsen has shared his feelings about not being selected for the 2026 World Cup after making a strong comeback in Spain's 4-1 Nations League win against Croatia. The young defender played a full match at the Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium, helping La Roja secure three points in their first home game since winning the World Cup.

Strong Performance After Disappointment

Huijsen started alongside his Real Madrid teammate Marc Cucurella and showed great composure throughout the match. This performance was a positive response to the tough blow of missing out on Spain's World Cup squad earlier in the year.

Heartfelt Reaction to Omission

"It was quite tough for me. In the end, it was a very sad moment for me and my family. The important thing is to be back, and we have to focus on the positives," Huijsen said after the match.

His absence from the World Cup team sparked debate, especially since Spain's squad did not include any players from Real Madrid for the first time in 92 years. Coach De la Fuente chose other defenders like Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Eric Garcia, and Marc Pubill instead.

Back in the Starting Lineup

Huijsen's immediate return to the starting eleven shows he remains a key part of Spain’s future plans. His solid display against Croatia adds to his case in the competition for central defensive positions within the national team.

Spain's Unbeaten Streak Continues

The win extended Spain's unbeaten run to 40 matches and put them three points clear at the top of Group A3, ahead of England and Croatia. De la Fuente's squad now looks forward to their upcoming match against Czechia, aiming to keep control of the group.