Luis de la Fuente: 'Being in the World Cup final is a luxury, it's only for the chosen ones'

Spain's national football team has reached the World Cup final, a feat coach Luis de la Fuente described as a "luxury" reserved for the "chosen ones." The team secured their place by defeating France 2-0 in a commanding semi-final performance on July 14, 2026.

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Being in the World Cup final is a luxury, it's only for the chosen ones.

Visibly emotional after the match, De la Fuente expressed profound gratitude for the support shown to the team and immense pride in being Spanish. He underscored the "bond of an entire country," asserting that "together, very important things are achieved." The coach emphasized that this success is a testament to the collective effort and unity surrounding La Roja.

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Gratitude for the expressions of affection and encouragement they transmit to us. It is a pride to be Spanish.

De la Fuente reflected on the team's journey, which began nearly four years ago with a clear vision. "We have been faithful to this idea, and it has brought us here," he stated, acknowledging the pressure and responsibility that come with such a high-stakes competition. He described the feeling as akin to happiness, reiterating his pride in leading such an exceptional group of players.

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We started almost four years ago with an idea and this idea, which we have been faithful to, has brought us here.

Looking ahead, De la Fuente stressed that the team's ambition does not end with reaching the final. "We still want to keep doing things better, and we have one more step to go. We are going to try to achieve it," he said. He lauded his players' commitment, generosity, and talent, calling their performance against France a "spectacle" and reaffirming his pride and happiness in their achievements.

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We still want to keep doing things better, and we have one more step to go. We are going to try to achieve it.