Luis de la Fuente Among the Candidates for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Best Coach Award

Spain capped an unforgettable summer by lifting the second World Cup in their history in the United States. At the helm of that team was Luis de la Fuente, who has now received another accolade: the Spain head coach has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Best Coach award following another outstanding year that has once again placed Spanish football at the very top.

In his 50 matches in charge of the senior national team, he has recorded 38 victories (78%), matching Vicente del Bosque for the highest win percentage

The nomination comes on the back of a brilliant World Cup campaign. Luis de la Fuente’s side lifted the trophy after defeating Argentina in the final on 19 July (1-0), completing an unbeaten tournament in which they conceded just one goal.

The World Cup triumph adds to De la Fuente’s two other major achievements since taking charge of the senior national team in December 2022: the 2023 UEFA Nations League and UEFA EURO 2024. Those three major titles now underpin the Riojan coach’s candidacy for the individual award.

Spain’s achievements extend beyond their trophy haul. The national team are currently number one in the FIFA World Ranking, while victory over Argentina extended their unbeaten run to 38 consecutive matches, the longest ever recorded by a men’s national team.

A career marked by titles and records has now placed Luis de la Fuente among the contenders for the award, with the winner to be announced on 26 October during the Ballon d’Or ceremony at London’s Palladium.