Spain coach sends clear message on Spain’s World Cup chances

“The World Cup is something different.” Luis de la Fuente has already discovered that firsthand. The overwhelming attention surrounding Spain in Las Rozas in Spain and later in Chattanooga and Puebla, the daily rhythm of the tournament, everything feels bigger. Amid that frenzy, between training sessions, Spain’s head coach sat down with AS deep inside the Spanish Football Federation’s training complex.

From there, while making it clear that the players currently carrying knocks “will be ready for the opening game,” he admitted there were fears over Lamine Yamal’s injury: “We were very concerned.” He also addressed two of the most debated omissions from his squad: “Carvajal and Morata leave behind an unforgettable legacy, but they knew that when the time came to make a decision, we would make it.”

Beyond individual cases, however, De la Fuente’s focus remains on the collective. That philosophy helped Spain win the 2023 Nations League and, above all, the European Championship. Rather than singling out players, he prefers to speak in terms of the group. One of the phrases he has repeated most often in recent years, and one he says with pride, is: “There are players who perform better with the national team than they do at their clubs.”

That environment, combined with Spain’s recent results, has turned La Roja into one of the contenders. He accepts that reality, but offers a note of caution: “Being a favorite isn’t a disadvantage, but are we bigger favorites than France, Brazil or Argentina?” His focus, he insists, is not on the final in New Jersey but on Spain’s first match, in Atlanta. “The most important game is Cape Verde.”

As a final thought, he offered two reflections. One was a statement of possibility: “This World Cup could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It can be achieved.” The other was more personal: “I never dreamed I’d be here.”

Interview with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente

The excitement surrounding the national team is off the charts. The World Cup is a different level...

Yes, absolutely. The attention is different too. World Cup news naturally generates a bigger impact. It’s wonderful to see people so excited.

One of the major talking points is Lamine, Víctor and Nico.

We’re going step by step. They’re improving every day, and the treatment plans and guidance we received from their clubs have matched reality perfectly. We’re monitoring them closely and continuing the work that was already planned. All of them will be available for Cape Verde. Now, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll play. We’ll see how everyone feels, especially them. Then we’ll decide whether they need minutes in that game.

This is a marathon, not a sprint.

Exactly. That’s the reality. For many reasons, players need to be managed carefully. This is going to be a very unusual World Cup. There will be a lot of travel, limited recovery time, little rest, heat, altitude changes... all of that will wear players down even more than the matches themselves. We have to take great care of them. Physical conditioning will be a decisive factor at this World Cup.

Were you worried about Lamine?

We were very concerned. We felt it was an injury that could have... not kept him out for three months or even two, but perhaps extended beyond a month and a half. Yet the recovery timeline has been exceptional, both in terms of expectations and the quality of his rehabilitation. We’re not surprised, but we’re very happy. Every day he feels better, and the recovery keeps moving ahead of schedule. That makes us believe he’ll be fully ready for the opening game.

“We were very worried about Lamine”

Luis de la Fuente

He arrived at the Euros as a kid. Now he’s a global star...

Yes, and he’s very aware of that. From a soccer standpoint, he’s an incredibly mature player. Combined with his talent, that’s why people talk about him so much and why he continues to demonstrate, with a completely unusual naturalness, his ability, quality, potential and future. We celebrate that, but I still say the same thing: he’s 18 years old. We have to keep protecting him, supporting him and guiding him. There will still be ups and downs, which are completely normal. We have to make sure he keeps his feet on the ground. He already does, but we need to stay close to him. This is a great opportunity for him to showcase his full talent. He’s completely focused on the World Cup.

“Lamine is completely focused on the World Cup”

Luis de la Fuente

You had no doubts about including Lamine, but there were difficult decisions elsewhere. In your book, you say leaving Sergio Ramos out was the hardest decision you ever had to make. What was the conversation with Carvajal and Morata like?

Morata visited us in Las Rozas. If you had seen the joy in the locker room when we were together... remembering everything we’ve lived through, what we’re experiencing now, and what we could still experience together. These are two people with very strong emotional ties to this team. They were captains, great captains, among the very best. They leave behind an unforgettable legacy and a standard of leadership, professionalism and class. People notice that.

I value them enormously, both as people and as professionals. Decisions like these are painful. But I want to make something very clear. They know this because they know me well. Everything is done with honesty and integrity. Just as we counted on them whenever we needed them, they understood and still understand, along with every other player, that when the time comes to make a decision that goes against their personal interests, we’ll make it in exactly the same way. It has to be understood because honesty, integrity and professionalism have always come first.

“Carvajal and Morata leave an indelible legacy, but they knew that when the time came to make a decision, we would do it”

Luis de la Fuente

Is there an omission that particularly hurt?

The absences that hurt the most are the ones caused by injuries. In this case, Fermín’s injury. He was in fantastic form, exceptional form, full of confidence and belief. This could have been his World Cup. Then he gets injured... no injury is insignificant, but they’re all painful. Those are the absences that really hurt.

When the decision is technical, one player benefits and another loses out. But if the choice had gone the other way, we’d feel exactly the same. Professionalism requires us to make those decisions, and so does honesty. We have no doubts. The players know we’ve always valued those principles and that we’ll continue to follow them.

That leads into something difficult to explain. How do you balance meritocracy based on club performances with what you, as a coaching staff, know a player can bring to the national team, even if he hasn’t had the best season at club level?

I firmly believe players have to earn things. But in the scenarios we prepare for, based on a very deep understanding of our opponents, context is crucial. We have to anticipate different game situations and build a squad that can cover every possibility.

A player may not play much at his club, but perhaps he’s a specialist at coming on for 15 or 20 minutes and changing a game. He increases the tempo, stretches the field, brings speed. Another player may be the opposite. He controls the pace, keeps possession, never panics with the ball and brings calm. A proven player of that caliber can be invaluable in certain moments.

Then there’s another category of player, and the media has pointed this out. I’m not going to name names because I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable. But there are players who perform very well with the national team, sometimes even better than they do at their clubs. Why? For many reasons. Some players are a guarantee for us. They always perform and always do what we ask. That’s when we make decisions that may seem surprising because perhaps the player wasn’t attracting attention or producing elite numbers at club level, but he gives us exactly what we need.

“There are players who perform better for the national team than for their clubs”

Luis de la Fuente

And you have the luxury of choosing.

Exactly. But there’s another important point. You know I don’t follow the media. Sorry, but it gives me a lot of peace of mind (laughs). My staff and my working groups do, though. There was something very interesting. Polls were conducted asking people what squad they would select, and 25 or 26 of the 26 names matched...

We never make decisions based on what people will like or dislike. But it’s true that this was a squad very similar to what most people expected. There will always be two or three spots open to debate, that’s normal. But we also have a deep understanding of our opponents, and some of those players who might surprise people could end up being decisive in a specific match.

The name that seemed to divide opinion was Gonzalo. Did he come close because he offers a different profile?

Gonzalo was on the preliminary list of 55 players, along with Espí and Toni Martínez. People don’t talk much about them either (laughs). One advantage I have is that I don’t look at which club a player comes from. I look at the player. We evaluate what needs could arise in any match. Gonzalo was on that preliminary list.

But look, it’s not just Borja who can perform that role. We also have the best header of the ball in Europe, Mikel Merino. He’s played as a center forward for Arsenal and done very well. In our planning, we’ve covered every scenario, every situation we can anticipate, so we have players capable of meeting those needs.

“Gonzalo? Espí and Toni Martínez were also in the preliminary list and people don’t talk much about them. I don’t look at the club, I look at the player”

Luis de la Fuente

This is a unique World Cup because we’ll see different national teams.

There will be surprises because we’ll see teams that might never have appeared in another format. And they’re very strong teams. Physically, tactically and technically. Many of them have players who compete regularly for major clubs. Some teams are also better adapted to these climate conditions and environments. That can become an advantage. The level of parity is enormous. There’s more parity among national teams than among clubs. The most important game of the World Cup is Cape Verde. No doubt about it..

“The most important match is Cape Verde”

Luis de la Fuente

Can being a favorite become a burden?

No. First of all, what does being a favorite even mean? That’s something people on the outside talk about. Second, what does it mean? That you have a chance to win the World Cup? Being honest and realistic, are we bigger favorites than France, Brazil or Argentina?

“Are we more favored than France, Brazil or Argentina?”

Luis de la Fuente

You are the European champions.

Sure, but Argentina are the world champions. We beat England in a final. And any team can win a final. So we can include England... or the Netherlands... The quality is tremendous. Eight or ten teams can win it: Portugal, the African nations... Spain? Of course. But that doesn’t mean winning is mandatory. You can lose even when you’re better than your opponent. We feel strong and capable. It’s positive to be considered a favorite, but soccer can take you anywhere.

Why is Gavi the national team’s favorite toy?

(Laughs) I wish you could see how he’s training. He’s so enthusiastic. Beyond ability and form, motivation is incredibly important. Motivation can completely transform a situation. Sometimes positively, sometimes negatively if confidence drops. But Gavi is a hugely important player because he brings incredible energy. He demands so much from his teammates. He trains with intensity, vitality and enthusiasm. That spreads throughout the group. He embodies the identity of this team. Some players are constantly pushing everyone around them to improve. That’s very good for the team because he never stops trying to get better.

“Gavi demands a lot from the others and that is contagious”

Luis de la Fuente

You talk about energy and young players, but everything still has to be under control. Fines are always in the news.

(Laughs) We have Spartan discipline. But it’s a discipline established by the players themselves. Obviously, we have an internal code and rules that everyone must follow. But they’re the ones who enforce them. Players rarely arrive late. Over 45 days something can happen, but they’re very disciplined. When we’re together, cell phones aren’t allowed in common areas, and the players police that themselves. I don’t want to act like a police officer. That’s not my job. I like them to be responsible, and they are.

“Fines? We have Spartan discipline. Something could happen, but they’re on top of things”

Luis de la Fuente

If you win like you did at the Euros, are the fines forgiven?

Someone always ends up paying (laughs). No, seriously. It’s about living together as a group. They eat together and spend time together. It’s good for team chemistry.

Does the coach ever pay one?

The coach pays double! I’ve never paid one yet (laughs). I’m never late. I’m very prepared.

Has any of the newer players surprised you, either because of their personality or character?

One of the reasons we brought in nine extra players was to help with this preparation period. They came in with the goal of contributing and helping us compete at Riazor. But they’re also players for the future. They know that because I’ve told them both privately and publicly. This is an investment in their future. If I see that they fit into our culture, our environment and the way we live together, the doors of the national team will always be open to them.

Sometimes you form an impression of a player based only on what you see on the field. Day-to-day behavior is very important. Watching how they train answers a lot of questions. I didn’t have doubts before, but I’m really pleased with everything I’ve seen from them.

Were you surprised and motivated by the King’s appearance as Luis de la Fuente?

(Smiles) We had no idea. It was a surprise. For me, it was an honor. The fact that the King of Spain, my King, came with such generosity, kindness and closeness, standing there for three hours of filming under a blazing sun... that deserves recognition. I’m proud to be Spanish and proud to have a King like him. He made us feel very comfortable. It was a source of pride and a fantastic moment. Who could have imagined the King announcing the squad? It was wonderful.

Who was your soccer idol?

Txetxu Rojo.

And as a national team coach?

Vicente del Bosque.

A promise to yourself?

To be happy.

Can you be even happier?

Absolutely. I’m happy, and I’m going to enjoy this World Cup. I had a teacher who used to say that every human act is unique and unrepeatable. This could be one of those moments.

“I never dreamed of being here, I think it can be achieved”

Luis de la Fuente

Have you dreamed of winning it?

I never dreamed I’d be here. But I do believe it can be achieved.

Will Spain win the World Cup?

If our opponents allow us to, yes (laughs).

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