Luis de la Fuente: From the Youth Ranks to the Summit of World Football

On 19 July, Luis de la Fuente reached the pinnacle of world football with Spain in New Jersey, guiding the national team to FIFA World Cup glory. Yet his journey to the top began many years earlier, building his reputation from the foundations of Spain's youth development system.

In May 2013, De la Fuente accepted the Royal Spanish Football Federation's offer to take charge of the Spain Under-19s. He made his debut on 5 June in Gdańsk, Poland, leading Spain to a 1–0 victory over the hosts in the Elite Round of qualification for the UEFA European Under-19 Championship. The win secured Spain's place in the finals, where, in his first European Championship as head coach, his side reached the semi-finals before being eliminated by France after extra time.

His first title with Spain also arrived on 19 July—this time in 2015—when he lifted the UEFA European Under-19 Championship trophy in Katerini, Greece. Spain defeated Russia 2–0 in the final thanks to goals from Borja Mayoral and Nahuel Leiva. That squad included three future world champions: Unai Simón, Rodri and Mikel Merino.

Luis de la Fuente won his first trophy with Spain on 19 July—the same date on which he would later become a FIFA World Cup-winning coach.

In June 2018, he added another title by guiding the Spain Under-18s to victory at the 18th Mediterranean Games, defeating Italy 3–2 in the final as Abel Ruiz scored a hat-trick. It was De la Fuente's second trophy before he stepped up to coach the Under-21s later that year—the final stage before the senior national team.

Success followed quickly. Less than a year after taking charge of the Under-21s, Spain were crowned UEFA European Under-21 champions. Despite losing their opening match to the host nation, De la Fuente's close-knit squad recovered impressively and lifted the trophy on 30 June 2019.

Two years later, he added an Olympic medal to his growing list of achievements. At the Tokyo Olympic Games, Spain reached the final after defeating hosts Japan 1–0 in the semi-finals thanks to a goal from Marco Asensio. Although Brazil prevailed after extra time in the gold-medal match, Spain claimed the silver medal, the country's fourth Olympic silver in men's football.

Across his spells with the Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and Olympic teams, De la Fuente coached more than 100 matches for Spain's youth sides.

His first experience with the senior national team came under extraordinary circumstances on 8 June 2021. While still serving as Under-21 coach, he took charge of Spain's friendly against Lithuania after Luis Enrique's squad was forced into isolation following a positive COVID-19 test. Spain recorded an emphatic 4–0 victory at Butarque Stadium.

In December 2022, De la Fuente was officially appointed head coach of the senior national team. After beginning the UEFA Euro qualifying campaign, he faced his first major challenge in the UEFA Nations League Finals. Spain defeated Croatia on penalties to lift the trophy, giving De la Fuente his first senior title just three competitive matches into his tenure.

On 14 July 2024, he celebrated another landmark achievement as Spain won UEFA Euro 2024. A flawless campaign, featuring victories in every match, culminated in a final against England, where goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal secured Spain's fourth European Championship title. It was De la Fuente's second trophy in less than two years as senior coach.

Although Spain were beaten on penalties by Portugal in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final, the team's consistently outstanding performances were rewarded by a return to No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings, reclaiming top spot for the first time in eleven years.

The only major honour still missing from De la Fuente's résumé was the FIFA World Cup.

With confidence high and years of meticulous work behind them, Spain travelled to Canada, Mexico and the United States determined to complete the journey. They progressed confidently through the group stage before overcoming every knockout opponent to reach the final, extending an historic unbeaten run that established a new world record.

Backed by the support of an entire nation and the unwavering belief within the squad, Spain reached the final hurdle, where Argentina awaited.

On 19 July 2026, Ferran Torres scored the goal that embroidered a second star onto Spain's shirt. Once again, Luis de la Fuente and his players reached football's summit.

In his 50th match as Spain head coach, the Haro-born manager became a FIFA World Cup winner. His team also entered the Guinness World Records by setting the longest unbeaten run ever recorded by a men's senior national team. Spain have not lost since 26 March 2024, when they faced Brazil in an international friendly, and have won 29 of their 38 matches during that unbeaten sequence.

Overall, De la Fuente has recorded 38 victories from his first 50 matches in charge of Spain—a 78% win rate, the highest in the history of the national team, equalling the record set by Vicente del Bosque.

From the youth ranks to the summit of world football, Luis de la Fuente has built a remarkable legacy—one that is still being written.