From the Guardian · · 3m
Spain's insatiable hunger goes beyond the World Cup
Luis de la Fuente's Spain arrive at Wembley as back-to-back champions, but one more trophy stands between them and immortality.
In brief
Luis de la Fuente's Spain arrive at Wembley as back-to-back champions, but one more trophy stands between them and immortality. Spain's World Cup win is just the beginning. De la Fuente has built a team that refuses to be satisfied and is chasing a third major tournament to match the legendary 2008-2012 generation…
Spain's next target revealed
Moments after winning the World Cup on July 19, a veteran player asked De la Fuente what was left to win. His answer: the Nations League game against England at Wembley on September 26.
“'Mister, now what? What's left to win?'”
De la Fuente names familiar squad
Only four players from the World Cup squad were left out: Llorente retired, García is injured, Iglesias isn't fully fit, and Gavi is suspended. The rest return as champions.
New faces are mostly familiar
Fermín López returns after injury, while Josep Martínez, Dean Huijsen, and Roberto Fernández join the squad. Even Martínez has history with De la Fuente from the under-21s.
Unai Simón keeps his status
Despite Josep Martínez's arrival, Unai Simón remains the number one goalkeeper. De la Fuente says Simón was named the World Cup's best goalkeeper and deserves continuity.
“Unai was recognised as the best goalkeeper at the World Cup, he broke every record, etc.”
Room for new players to knock
De la Fuente says other players are knocking at the door, but they must prove themselves worthy of walking through it. For now, the champions stay.
Spain's trophy collection grows
Spain are World Cup champions, European champions, and Nations League winners. They arrive at Wembley with an extra star on their shirts and celebrations across the country.
De la Fuente takes Nations League seriously
While others may dismiss the Nations League, De la Fuente wants to win it. It marked the start of a new Spain era in 2023, though they lost the 2025 final to Portugal on penalties.
One trophy away from immortality
Spain need one more major tournament win to match the legendary 2008-2012 generation. That's the unspoken objective driving this team forward.
De la Fuente's 13-year journey
De la Fuente joined Spain's setup 13 years ago on a three-month contract with the under-19s. He's now reached every final as a coach and just extended his contract to 2032.
Insatiable is the word
De la Fuente describes his team as insatiable. They won't stop wanting more, and he believes what they did at the World Cup isn't enough to keep winning.
“This team won't stop; it wants more and more, to be the best.”
Success means being in position to win
De la Fuente says success isn't winning, it's being in a position where you can win. Spain know they're the team to beat, and that motivates them for Wembley.
“Success is not winning; it is being in a position where you can win.”
What matters most
Spain's World Cup win is just the beginning. De la Fuente has built a team that refuses to be satisfied and is chasing a third major tournament to match the legendary 2008-2012 generation.
