International football is short on training time and heavy on pressure. Coaches often choose partnerships they know can function immediately. That seems to be the logic here.
Huijsen may have enjoyed a strong campaign at club level, but squad building is rarely a straight line from weekend form to tournament selection. De la Fuente has generally leaned toward defenders and midfielders who already understand Spain’s positional game, pressing triggers and tempo control. In that context, omission can be less an indictment of one player and more a vote for a settled structure.
Reports suggest Barcelona have a strong presence across the group, especially in defence and midfield. That matters.
That core can speed up cohesion. De la Fuente appears to value automatisms over experimentation, especially before a tournament opener where control is usually the first objective.
If Yamal is not fully fit, Spain may still believe his inclusion is worth the risk because his threat changes how opponents defend. Even limited minutes from him can reshape a game plan. Against Cape Verde, Spain will likely want territorial control, clean possession and width from familiar sources rather than a dramatic tactical reset.
The next question is whether this conservative selection pays off quickly. If Spain start well, de la Fuente’s continuity call will look justified. If they lack sharpness or defensive authority, the debate around Huijsen will only grow louder before the next big squad announcement.