Luis de la Fuente’s Spain side are now fully focused on their next goal: qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 26™. Their qualification journey kicks off with away trips to Bulgaria on 4 September and Türkiye on 7 September.
Drawn in a group that also features Georgia, the reigning European champions are aiming to book their place at the global showpiece and would be among the favourites to lift the most prestigious trophy in the world. The Spanish coach recently sat down with FIFA to discuss the journey of his current squad, the looming challenge of qualifying, and some of the standout individuals from his “family-like” side.
Luis de la Fuente: Qualifiers are never straightforward or foregone conclusions. Firstly, because of the sheer quality and class of the opponents, who are all brimming with incredible talent. September is a tricky time of the year to play these matches because many players are still finding their fitness and gaining match sharpness. The fact that both fixtures are away from home adds to the challenge, especially as Bulgaria and Türkiye are bound to be determined to complicate things and know that their best chance of securing qualification is on home soil.
They’re already playing for some of Europe’s top clubs and are excellent players. They have a top-class coach at the helm and know exactly what is required of them to perform well and get good results. Türkiye is never an easy place to go to. Bulgaria will also be looking to be a thorn in the side for us. They’re both teams that are eager to impress and improve, and tactically they’re well drilled. We’ll need to be on top of our game if we want to come away with victory. These qualifying campaigns are no mean feat, and one tiny slip-up can change the narrative significantly.
We’re very familiar with the threat Georgia pose, having kept abreast of their progress. We also played them in the EURO qualifiers and at the EURO itself. They’re constantly improving and have some great players in their squad, including [Khvicha] Kvaratskhelia, who is an outstanding talent. You cannot afford to be complacent against these tricky sides, whether at home or away. There’s no margin for error. A poor game often isn’t just down to us having a bad day at the office. With the quality the opposition possess, a bad result can have disastrous consequences. One bad result can really come back to bite you and make things harder.
We’re a very tight-knit group, like a family, and it’s now fully embedded in how we operate. We’ve been working together for a long time, with some players for around ten years, others eight, seven, or six, and a few who have joined the squad more recently. Having that sense of togetherness, unity, and connection is incredibly important to us. A team that sticks together through thick and thin. Like a family. That’s what makes us stronger and more resilient. We don’t get the chance to come together very often, so when we do, it’s important to have a good connection and pick up where we left off.
Rodrigo and Dani Carvajal are key figures in the dressing room and help keep the team united. They play a key role. Because of their character and influence, both on and off the pitch. They’re the two best players in the world in their respective positions. But there are many other players in the squad of the same calibre. Our greatest strength lies in our togetherness and team spirit.
He’s a fantastic player who’s given his all for Spanish football, both on and off the pitch. He’s always there for the youngsters and the older players, adopting a positive approach and mindset. And, as I’ve mentioned before, this isn’t just something done on a whim. It’s all about performance, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s a crucial player for us right now, both on and off the pitch. He’ll give us exactly what we need.
He showed a lot of courage in speaking openly about his problems. He’s set an example for all of us, demonstrating his determination to improve every single day and his willingness to lend a hand to others who might be going through similar problems but are too afraid to speak up. His honesty is so important, because it will help alleviate the fears and stresses of others, especially young players who are facing similar difficulties and don’t fully understand what’s happening to them.
He’s earned it all through his own hard work and commitment. At the tender age of 16, the teenage sensation was already ripping it up for the senior national team. We need to give credit where credit’s due. A 16, 17, or 18-year-old player is under constant scrutiny and pressure from the media. He has to work his socks off to meet people’s expectations of him, as well as set an example both on and off the pitch and keep developing. He still needs our support because he’s very young. He is very mature for his age, but he still needs to develop his game and mature further. It’s all part of the process. Here, you never stop improving and developing your game. That’s why we need to be there to support him.
He’s an exceptional player, with bags of natural ability and extraordinary talent. He’s completely switched on, and I think it’s important to point out that he knows that without hard work and commitment, he won’t achieve the dizzy heights many people have tipped him to reach. The harder you work, the better you become. He works tirelessly. He puts the graft in every day to keep improving. We need to support him in his development, but he’s a clever player and latches on to things very quickly, just like the very best.
We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. We’re going to take it step by step. First and foremost, we need to be aware of just how tough it’ll be to qualify, and what it would mean to us to be on that plane. Then we have another tournament to get excited about, the Finalissima [against Argentina], if it eventually goes ahead in March. So all of that depends on whether we qualify for the World Cup. That’s why securing qualification is of utmost importance.
The fact of the matter is, we’ve been keeping a keen eye on the World Cup for some time, and that’s where our full focus needs to be now. We’ve got a very clear goal in mind. But first we need to make sure we qualify, and also recognise that even if we do, going toe-to-toe with the world’s best teams on the biggest stage and having a real shot at winning the tournament is no mean feat. I always say that to be successful, you need to be in a position to achieve it. For me, the real importance isn’t in winning or losing, or even the glory that comes with it. When two evenly matched sides go head-to-head, it’s anyone’s game, even if you’re the stronger side on the day. As far as I’m concerned, the most important thing is believing you can achieve it, and for those in the know in the game to acknowledge you for it. That’s true success, even though I’m fully aware that, in the end, it comes down to whether you actually achieve it or not.
