Spain's Defensive Shake-Up: Huisen Out, Laporte Called Up for World Cup Qualifiers
8 October 2025
Injury Sidelining La Roja
Spain's national team announced defender Din Huisen of Real Madrid has been ruled out due to a muscular injury ahead of the World Cup 2026 qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria.
According to AS, Huisen arrived at the training camp with a muscle strain and was unable to participate in Tuesday's session in Las Rozas. Medical tests on Wednesday confirmed a muscular injury requiring him to miss the two upcoming matches.
Real Madrid's medical staff will monitor the player's condition upon his return to the club to determine the severity and the expected length of his absence.
A Recalled Aymeric Laporte to Stabilize the Back Line
With Huisen out, Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called up defender Aymeric Laporte to replace him in the squad for the qualifiers. This is Laporte's first return to La Roja since the Nations League matches in November 2024.
The federation's official release noted that Spain will host Georgia in Elche and Bulgaria in Valladolid, with Laporte stepping in to shore up the defense.
Huisen and Laporte: A Backline Built for the Future
Huisen, born in Amsterdam in 2005, came through the Ajax academy before moving to Juventus in 2019 and later a loan spell at Roma to gain experience. In 2025, Real Madrid signed the rising defender, who can play as center-back or full-back and is known for his composure and ball-playing ability.
Laporte, born in 1994 in France, developed at Athletic Bilbao and joined Manchester City in 2018, winning multiple titles. He obtained Spanish citizenship in 2021 and represented Spain at Euro 2020; his recall provides experience and leadership to Spain's back line as they chase World Cup 2026 glory.
Looking Ahead
Huisen's injury absence highlights the ongoing build within Spain's defense, combining promising young talent with seasoned veterans to keep La Roja competitive on the world's biggest stages.
Punchline 1: If injuries were trophies, Din Huisen would have a shelf full of silverware by now.
Punchline 2: And if certainty in defense were a bet, Laporte just placed it on red—La Roja, please don't gamble your World Cup hopes on a dice roll!
