Luis de la Fuente, emphasized in an interview with FIFA that teamwork would be key to Spain's success in the upcoming World Cup.
As European champions, the Spanish team will enter the 2026 World Cup as one of the favorites to win, having also previously stood at the pinnacle of world football multiple times. This squad features both seasoned veterans and young talents like Lamine Yamal, who is widely expected to shine on the World Cup stage.
With less than a month remaining until Spain's first World Cup match against Cape Verde in Atlanta, de la Fuente elaborated to FIFA on the team's preparation strategy. He stated that the team still has significant room for growth, especially as younger players increasingly become core members, and that the team needs to maintain stability and competitiveness through a combination of experience and youth.
Regarding the current state of the team, he said: "We have a very talented group of players, but many of them are very young. It's crucial to integrate them with experienced players to keep the team stable and moving in a clear direction."
De la Fuente expressed immense pride in coaching this group of players. He revealed that he had coached approximately 90% of the national team squad during their youth academy days, some even since they were teenagers. "We grew up together, and this relationship goes beyond that of a normal coach and player; it's one of our team's significant strengths," he added.
He further stressed that Spain's core philosophy has always been "team above all." In his view, individual abilities must serve the collective, not overshadow it. "The team always comes before the individual. Only teamwork can win a tournament like the World Cup, not individual players winning games on their own."
When discussing external expectations for Spain to win the World Cup, de la Fuente stated that this pressure would not affect the team: "This World Cup will be extremely competitive, the strongest I can remember. Many teams have the potential to win. But this pressure should not overwhelm us; we have reached this point through long-term, consistent effort and team performance."
Regarding the team's objectives, he gave a very clear answer: "We won't just think about one game; we'll play every match as if it's the last, respect every opponent, and strive for the highest honor. Effort, hard work, and dedication are the only requirements, and the results will naturally follow."
Speaking about young player Lamine Yamal, de la Fuente offered high praise. He noted that Yamal debuted for the national team at 16 and is still developing, and the team's task is to help him build the right footballing philosophy and life values. "He's very young, but very mature, and very eager to improve. He's willing to learn, which is crucial. As long as he stays healthy, his future is limitless."
Finally, de la Fuente looked ahead to Spain's goals for this World Cup, stating: "We want to give our all in every match, respect our opponents, and fight for the highest honor. Our only requirement is effort and commitment; the rest will be up to the results."
Earlier, in an interview with Spanish national television, de la Fuente detailed the team's World Cup plan. He mentioned that several players, including Yamal and Merino, had joined the training camp. Despite Yamal missing some matches at the end of the season due to muscle issues, the coaching staff remains optimistic about his recovery.
Speaking about the highly anticipated young player, de la Fuente said: "He's very excited and eager to play. He's young but already very mature. He knows this is his moment. In life, you have to seize opportunities."
"You never know what state you'll be in at the next World Cup, so this is Lamine Yamal's moment. He's excellent, and he'll only get better with the help of his teammates. In my opinion, we have some of the best players in the world in many positions, which will help him perform at his best."
Regarding the situation of Yamal and other injured players, de la Fuente added: "The overall situation with these injured players is positive, and everyone is at a different stage of recovery. If all goes well, they all have a chance to be available for the first match. Of course, we will assess whether they are fit to play in the opener. But our focus isn't just on the first game, but on the entire tournament."
Looking ahead to the World Cup, Spain, as the newly crowned European champions, will enter the tournament with extremely high expectations, while also facing challenges from strong competitors. The coaching staff will continuously monitor players' physical data during the training camp to ensure the team reaches optimal condition for the long group stage. Spain will also face teams like Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in the group stage.
Regarding the team's status as European champions entering the World Cup and how they position themselves, de la Fuente stated that the team still has room for improvement and must continue to progress from its current foundation. He pointed out that the team possesses a highly talented group of players, many of whom are very young, and integrating these young players with experienced ones is key to maintaining stability and a sense of direction. He emphasized that in a tournament of the World Cup's caliber, the team will face higher expectations, but this also represents a significant opportunity for continued growth.
Regarding his feelings about having coached many youth players and now seeing them grow into core members of the national team, de la Fuente expressed immense pride. He mentioned that he has known approximately 90% of the current squad for many years, having even coached some since they were ten or twelve years old. He emphasized that this long-term supportive development has forged a relationship between coach and players that transcends the traditional mentor-apprentice dynamic, building deep trust, which is also one of the team's important strengths.
Concerning the team's core principles on the field, de la Fuente stated that he wants players to maintain composure and a sense of responsibility during matches. He noted that in top-level football, even near-perfect performances can result in defeat, so players must be able to handle outcomes while maintaining professionalism, respecting opponents, and constantly striving for self-improvement. He stressed that team spirit and mutual support are the most important behavioral guidelines for the team.
Regarding the pressure of external expectations that Spain is one of the favorites to win, de la Fuente stated that he prefers to emphasize the concept of "one of," as this World Cup will be exceptionally competitive with a large number of strong teams. He pointed out that the team will not be overwhelmed by external expectations, because their current achievements stem from a long-term stable training system and team performance; everything is a result of their established way of working.
Regarding how he hopes this Spanish team will be remembered in ten or twenty years, de la Fuente expressed a desire for the team to regain the sense of identity among the younger generation of fans. He mentioned that after a period of decline, the team reconnected with fans through championship success. He hopes this team will not only be remembered as a team that knows how to play football, but also as a team that knows how to be human, possessing sportsmanship and personal values.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, with matches held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA.