Huijsen earns Spain recall as Cucurella keeps starting role

Huijsen earns Spain recall as Cucurella keeps starting role Real Madrid defenders Dean Huijsen and Marc Cucurella have been included in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad for the upcoming FIFA break, Managing Madrid report . La Roja will face England, Croatia twice and the Czech Republic during the window. Spain select Huijsen and Cucurella Huijsen’s inclusion is the more notable of the two, given that he was left out of Spain’s squad for the FIFA World Cup. The defender has been playing at a very high level since the start of the 2026-27 season, and that recent club form appears to have been enough to convince De la Fuente to bring him back into the fold, alongside emerging centre-back Pau Cubarsí , who has already established himself among Spain’s senior defensive options. Cucurella’s presence is a much more straightforward call. He remains an undisputed starter on Spain’s left flank, and it is clear he sits ahead of every other option in that position for De la Fuente. That standing persists even though, according to the same report, Cucurella has yet to make a big impact for Real Madrid since his move to the club. The fixtures ahead The pair will report for international duty as Spain embark on a four-match run during the FIFA break, with fixtures against England, Croatia on two occasions and the Czech Republic. It is a schedule that follows Spain’s recent run of senior fixtures, including the side that featured heavily in the 2026 World Cup final against France . What Happens Next Huijsen and Cucurella will now link up with the rest of De la Fuente’s squad ahead of the trip to face England, before Spain continue through the double meeting with Croatia and the fixture against the Czech Republic. Their performances across the window will be watched closely, not least given the scrutiny already surrounding several senior internationals following the events at the World Cup final .