Laporte to Join National Team as Huijsen’s Replacement

MADRID: Due to a muscle injury, Spain’s defender Dean Huijsen will miss the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. The club made the announcement on Wednesday.

Aymeric Laporte, a defender for Athletic Club, is set to join the national team’s training camp as the replacement.

Upon arriving at the national team training on Monday, the Real Madrid defender showed symptoms of muscle fatigue.

The Royal Spanish Football Federation verified that Huijsen did not train on Tuesday. Real Madrid was informed that his condition was not showing improvement. A medical examination on Wednesday confirmed a muscular injury.

Consequently, the player has been released from the squad, with the RFEF wishing him a speedy recovery.

“Huijsen, 20, reported muscle fatigue upon arrival at the national team’s training camp on Monday evening, and subsequently did not participate in Tuesday’s training session,” the RFEF stated.

“Medical assessments conducted on Wednesday validated the muscle injury, prompting his withdrawal from the squad. Real Madrid has been notified. We extend our wishes for his quick return to health.”

Spain will host Bulgaria in Valladolid on Tuesday and play Georgia in Elche on Saturday, aiming to secure their place in the 2026 World Cup.

Laporte, the 31-year-old defender from Athletic Bilbao, brings crucial experience as a member of Spain’s team that secured the European Championship the previous year.

Spain currently holds the lead in Group E of European qualifying with six points from two matches, while Georgia and Turkey trail by three points.