Luis de la Fuente

Luis de la Fuente is the head coach of Spain at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, arriving as the reigning European champion after Spain's title at Euro 2024. Born in Haro, La Rioja on 21 July 1961, he spent his playing career as a left-back at Athletic Bilbao and Sevilla, with brief stays at Alavés and Logroñés.

His coaching path is almost entirely Spanish federation work. After more than two decades inside the Athletic academy, he ran Spain's age-group sides through the 2010s — winning the U19 Euro in 2015, the U21 Euro in 2019 and an Olympic silver in Tokyo 2020. That conveyor-belt success made him the natural fit when the RFEF replaced Luis Enrique after the 2022 World Cup.

His senior tenure has been a quiet revolution: a Nations League title in 2023, followed by an unbeaten Euro 2024 run with Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Rodri and Dani Olmo blending into a fluid 4-3-3. He has rejuvenated Spain's identity without abandoning possession football — pressing higher, attacking with width and trusting youth.

Spain are favourites in Group H with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde, opening at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on 15 June. De la Fuente's mandate: turn the Euro 2024 title into Spain's second World Cup, twelve years after the South Africa 2010 triumph.