Luis de la Fuente: “This Team Has Earned Everyone’s Trust”
This Sunday, at Atlanta Stadium, Spain will be aiming for its first victory of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Kick-off is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. local time (6:00 p.m. in mainland Spain) and will mark the opening fixture of Matchday Two in Group H. Ahead of the encounter, De la Fuente addressed the press to discuss the latest developments surrounding the national team.
How do you assess the squad's mood?
"Tomorrow, we have to win, but I do not sense any feeling of anxiety or pressure. This team possesses tremendous competitive character and, in situations like these, criticism often has the opposite effect—it motivates and galvanises the players. They are highly determined, and tomorrow’s match will be very different."
How are you feeling personally?
"I feel responsible, motivated and excited. The players have a strong competitive spirit, and so do I. I am eager to get back on the pitch."
Do you sense pessimism around the team?
"We remain detached from all of that. Every day, I receive countless messages reflecting the excitement and enthusiasm that this national team inspires throughout Spain. This team has earned everyone’s trust."
Will there be changes to the starting line-up?
"We have analysed what happened and identified areas where we can improve, because there is always room for improvement. There will be some changes, yes, but with the aim of offering different solutions. I am convinced that the match against Saudi Arabia will be very different from the one against Cape Verde."
On Saudi Arabia
"They are a very competitive side. Their domestic league has improved significantly with the arrival of high-quality players, and that progress is reflected in the national team. Four years ago, they already demonstrated their growth by defeating Argentina. Because of our proactive and dominant style of play, we often force opponents into a deep defensive block. We respect every team's strengths, but we need to recover our passing rhythm and fluid ball circulation in order to create and exploit spaces."
On Lamine Yamal
"We will make whatever decision we believe is best for Spain. The most important thing is that Lamine is fit and highly motivated to achieve something special in this tournament. The number of minutes played is not what matters most—the quality of those minutes is."
On Dani Olmo
"He is one of the best players in the world at operating between the lines. He has an exceptional ability to turn, create opportunities, and find space where none appears to exist. A match is very long, and what matters is that every player delivers their best performance, especially in a competition as demanding and unique as this one."
What would you like for your birthday?
"I simply wish to continue enjoying life and my profession. Because of my responsibilities with the Spanish Football Federation, I have spent most of my birthdays away from home. However, we are part of a family here, and that makes every celebration special and meaningful. Hopefully tomorrow we will witness an excellent match, secure the victory, and avoid any injuries."
On the overall standard of the tournament
"At a World Cup, there is no margin for error. One poor day can eliminate you from the competition. We had an average performance in our last match, and now we must show our very best version. There are 48 outstanding national teams here, and any one of them can defeat you if you are not at your best."
