Victor Vandenbroucke (Gent) now refuses Honduras after first call‑up

Victor Vandenbroucke, the eighteen‑year‑old defender of Gent, recently turned down his first call‑up for the Honduras national team. After a meeting with the squad in which he felt ‘out of place’, he decided not to play a minute for the Central American country for now, despite four Nations‑League matches played.

No playing minutes for Honduras

Vandenbroucke said in a statement that he currently does not feel that Honduras is his place. ‘I have noticed that at this moment I do not feel that this is my place’, he explained.

The young defender has Honduran roots through his mother and was given the chance to join the national team. He flew across the world to join the squad, but an official debut did not materialise.

Honduras played four matches in the North‑American Nations League, but Vandenbroucke did not see a minute of action. In two fixtures he sat on the bench, the other two he spent entirely on the bench.

In addition to the lack of playing minutes, he also cited the circumstances in Honduras as a reason. The lack of opportunities and the situation surrounding the squad led to his decision to step back for now.

‘I certainly do not intend to do Honduras any disservice with this, and it changes nothing about the warmth and respect I have for the country and its people’, said Vandenbroucke. He emphasises that the decision is purely personal and focused on his career.

Vandenbroucke does not rule out that he could still play for Honduras in the future. ‘This decision does not necessarily mean that I am closing the door forever. It could look different in the future’, he said.