When Luis de la Fuente took over the Spanish national team in 2022 after a disappointing World Cup, he wasn’t exactly a sexy pick or a big name chosen to replace the famous Luis Enrique. De la Fuente had spent a decade coaching the Spanish youth teams and was appointed in large part due to his strong relationships with many of the young players who were rising stars for the senior side.
Since taking over, however, De la Fuente has shown plenty of ability as a coach and leader, and the results speak
for themselves: Spain have made the final of every tournament under De la Fuente, winning the 2023 Nations League and EURO 2024, while also making the 2025 Nations League title match when they lost to Portugal on penalties.
Spain have not lost a competitive match in regulation since March 2023, and arrive in America on a 31-game unbeaten streak with a well-coached, attack-minded, poised team full of young players who are able to shine on their roles under a manager they’ve known and liked for a long time. The team’s poise is a reflection of De la Fuente’s calm demeanor, and he has the complete trust of his players and the nation as Spain look to win a second World Cup this summer.
Continuity With a Twist
De la Fuente’s coaching chops have become evident when watching Spain: the manager was able to take the famous and recognizable brand of Spanish possession-based attacking football and add some more variety and dynamism to a style that lacked some punch. La Roja became too slow and predictable before De la Fuente, but his arrival brought more intensity, pressing and a much-needed counter-attacking edge.
Spain still want to dominate the ball and create chances with good, patient possession work, but they are now capable of retreating when necessary and using the electric pace and skill of their wingers in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to devastating effects. Mikel Merino and Pedri have become huge weapons in midfield with their ability to control the pace and add scoring power in the box, and the team’s willingness to press in organized fashion allows their defense to stay solid and in good structure.
This is a complete team capable of winning games in all sorts of ways, with a great system and a number of players with the individual quality required to decide matches. Even the lack of a world-class number nine doesn’t hurt their ability to score goals, with Mikel Oyarzabal more than capable of leading the line and a style of play that allows many others to become offensive weapons.
The Favorites
La Roja arrive in America as the favorites to win it all given their tournament success under De la Fuente and the immense quality and depth in all areas of the team. France and England also have the talent and depth to challenge them, while Argentina, Brazil and Portugal cannot be counted out either. But it would be a big surprise not to see Spain make it to at least the semi-finals and have a legitimate chance to win it all.
There are questions about Lamine Yamal’s fitness due to a hamstring injury suffered at the end of Barcelona’s season, but Spain are more than good enough to get through the group stage without having to rely on their best player. Yamal is expected to be fully fit for the knockout rounds, and Spain will be favorites if that’s the case.
But they’ll also need their coach to push the right buttons throughout the tournament, and De la Fuente has already proven his coaching ability. If he can do it again, this time at the biggest stage, we may very well see La Roja lifting the trophy in July.
