Luis de la Fuente: “We are already playing the World Cup.”

Shortly before taking questions about the upcoming match, De la Fuente paid tribute to Carolina Marín, who announced her retirement earlier today: “I would like to acknowledge Carolina Marín on the occasion of her farewell. We are proud of her career, we wish her every happiness in retirement, and we thank her for everything she has given us.”

Regarding the Spain–Serbia fixture, he stated: “For us these are competitive matches. We need to work on many areas, test different scenarios, and give players the opportunity to gain experience — especially as there are new faces in the squad. We will try to give most players time on the pitch so they can live these experiences and so that we can see them. We want to finish with the best possible sensations.”

On the inclusion of four goalkeepers, De la Fuente praised the exceptional environment within the squad and highlighted the opportunity to give players who have not yet faced top-level international competition valuable experience. He emphasised: “We are not going to give anything away to anyone — we want to achieve good results. We are already playing the World Cup.”

Speaking about Lamine Yamal, he stressed the importance of managing playing time carefully, prioritising player health while fulfilling the responsibility of representing Spain. He noted that all players are equally important and that minutes will be allocated based on the flow of each match.

On other national teams, he acknowledged the difficulty of the 2026 World Cup, noting that all teams will be strong and that the technical staff are analysing all potential opponents.

Regarding Rodrigo, he said: “I see Rodrigo in one of his best moments since returning from injury. He is performing at a high level, maintaining his physical condition, handling minutes effectively, and showing great maturity. These injuries make players stronger and more experienced.”

On players’ nerves about selection, De la Fuente admitted that concern is natural: “The focus is on the World Cup. As I told them: ‘we are already playing the World Cup.’ I am excited, and I understand that they feel the same. This does not mean the squad will be limited to these 27 players.”

About the atmosphere for the Spain–Serbia match, he said: “Tomorrow the stadium will be full. We want to give the supporters, the public, and all of Spain a match worthy of what they deserve. We are eager to take the field.”

Reflecting on his three years in charge, De la Fuente said he feels much better now than when he began, expressing pride in his role and noting that his experiences have made him a better professional and person. He concluded: “I am happy.”

Full press conference available.