Spain coach Luis de la Fuente enjoying 'best moment' ahead of World Cup debut

Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the Spanish national football team, described himself as being in the "best moment" of his life as he prepares to make his World Cup coaching debut. After 13 years with the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), marked by successes in youth categories and with the senior team, De la Fuente expressed his contentment.

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I would be lying if I said I had dreamed of this. I am very practical and short-term focused. I have taken it step by step. I didn't dream of being here but of doing my job well day by day.

"I would be lying if I said I had dreamed of this. I am very practical and short-term focused. I have taken it step by step. I didn't dream of being here but of doing my job well day by day," De la Fuente stated at a press conference on the eve of Spain's opening match against Cabo Verde. "By doing things well and moving in a certain direction, things happen. I am enjoying this moment, the best moment of my life. I want to enjoy this moment. With the responsibility of what I have in my hands, but with the calm of knowing I am well accompanied on this journey."

De la Fuente's World Cup debut follows a successful career with the RFEF, including winning the 2018 Mediterranean Games, the 2019 U21 European Championship, and a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. With the senior team, he secured the 2023 Nations League title, the 2024 European Championship, and was runner-up in the 2025 Nations League.

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I am enjoying this moment, the best moment of my life. I want to enjoy this moment. With the responsibility of what I have in my hands, but with the calm of knowing I am well accompanied on this journey.

Regarding Spain's status as favorites for the World Cup, De la Fuente adopted a measured perspective. "Being a favorite or not is a literary device. What does it mean? It's recognition of a trajectory and a value that places you among the candidates to fight for something. It means nothing more," he explained. "There are many candidates, and only one wins. I give importance to it because of the trajectory of players who are having a spectacular career. Ancelotti said that being a favorite guarantees nothing, and it's likely the World Cup with the most favorites. Being on that list is what's important. We go with great humility and knowing how difficult it is to win a World Cup."

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Being a favorite or not is a literary device. What does it mean? It's recognition of a trajectory and a value that places you among the candidates to fight for something. It means nothing more.

He also highlighted the "illusion" and "family" atmosphere among his players as a key strength. "A winning mentality is a way of understanding life. It's acquired in the national team with character. In life, you lose more than you win, but what's important is character in competition. That brings you closer to winning, but you have to do things well and get back up because in life and in football, you lose more than you win," he concluded.

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We go with great humility and knowing how difficult it is to win a World Cup.