Coach de la Fuente urges Spain not to stop after World Cup triumph — Asharq Al-Awsat
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said the team must continue improving after winning the World Cup. Spain’s first match after the triumph will be a Nations League game against England, scheduled for September 26, Asharq Al-Awsat reports.
The 65-year-old specialist said that just minutes after the World Cup final victory over Argentina in New Jersey, he was already thinking about the team’s next tasks. This week, de la Fuente extended his contract with the Spain national team until 2032.
The next target is Euro 2028
According to the coach, winning the World Cup does not guarantee success in the next matches. “This team never stops. The World Cup is not enough — we have to be better. What we have achieved is not enough to win the next match,” de la Fuente said.
Spain’s next major goal will be the 2028 European Championship. The team could repeat the achievement of the national side that won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. At the same time, de la Fuente acknowledged that repeating such a result would be difficult, as after winning the titles his team has become an opponent that other national teams will seek to defeat.
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Squad changes
The squad for the upcoming Nations League matches against England, Croatia twice, and the Czech Republic includes most of the players from the team that played at the World Cup. Key players include Lamine Yamal and captain Rodri, who are contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
Barcelona midfielder Fermín López returned to the national team after a foot injury that caused him to miss the World Cup, while Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen was called up again. Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez was given an opportunity because of an injury to goalkeeper Joan García. Espanyol forward Roberto Fernández could make his debut for the national team, while Iván Fresneda was called up urgently to replace injured Tottenham defender Pedro Porro.
De la Fuente stressed that the national team would maintain squad continuity, but players who demonstrate readiness would be given an opportunity to prove themselves.
