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Football
Spain's coach Luis de la Fuente confirms a serious approach to the friendly against Iraq and discusses player fitness and World Cup outlooks for Morocco and Senegal.
Luis de la Fuente, head coach of the Spanish national team, emphasized that the upcoming friendly match against Iraq scheduled for Thursday in La Coruña will serve as a serious test in the final preparations for the 2026 World Cup. He stressed that the team will not treat the game as a mere exhibition before the tournament begins.
The Spanish squad is conducting its last rehearsal before the World Cup amid close monitoring of several key players facing physical challenges, including Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, and Mikel Merino.
During the pre-match press conference, de la Fuente stated, "The injured players are improving day by day. We will continuously assess their conditions, but the good news is that everyone is capable of arriving at the first World Cup match in good shape. We will see if they participate against Iraq or not."
The Spanish coach underscored that his team will not play the match with less than their usual intensity, adding, "It is impossible to play a match at half effort. We have a very important game as part of our preparations, and we want to reach June 15 in the best possible condition."
He also downplayed concerns regarding the condition of the Riazor stadium following Deportivo La Coruña's promotion celebrations, noting that the ground staff have done significant work to prepare the pitch properly. The technical staff reviewed images showing the field is in excellent condition.
When asked about the squad he plans to use for the World Cup, de la Fuente declined to reveal any names but confirmed that many key decisions have already been made.
"I know who will be the national team’s goalkeeper at the World Cup, and I almost know the entire starting lineup, but football is full of surprises. The first thing I always do is inform the players before speaking publicly," he explained.
De la Fuente also addressed speculation surrounding some players’ futures amid increasing transfer market rumors during the summer window.
"I am not bothered by discussions about players’ futures. We have previous experience from the European Championship. Sometimes it is better to resolve matters quickly when the time is right. The important thing is that these issues do not become a distraction for the players, and I see they have great focus," he said.
The coach spoke about Rodri, who is preparing to take on greater responsibilities within the team following changes to the leadership group.
"Rodri is surrounded by strong personalities such as Unai Simón, Ferran Torres, and Mikel Oyarzabal. He possesses leadership qualities and knows how to handle this responsibility. We feel very reassured by his presence; he is a player of great stature and a Ballon d’Or winner," de la Fuente stated.
Regarding the young players who joined the camp as support, the Spanish coach confirmed that not all will participate against Iraq despite praising their performance in training.
"I thank them all for their work and quick integration into the group. They have a great future ahead, and we will see during the match who will get an opportunity. However, we do not want the match to turn into a summer exhibition; we want to benefit from it to reach the World Cup in the best readiness," he said.
De la Fuente gave particular recognition to Barcelona’s young player Marc Bernal, affirming his promising future.
"He had a great season, and his future looks very bright. If he continues to work in the same way, he will go very far. We are very happy with what he is delivering," the coach added.
On a personal note, de la Fuente expressed his happiness to lead the national team at the World Cup, stating, "I am very happy and excited. It is a historic event for me. I am the coach of my country’s team and feel proud when I see the staff with such enthusiasm and desire to compete."
De la Fuente also commented on predictions placing Spain among the top contenders to win the World Cup according to artificial intelligence models.
"I see artificial intelligence as a great tool, but I trust humans more and the intuition of those who live football daily. I appreciate the opinions of experts, media, and everyone who understands the game," he said.
He added that the list of title contenders is not limited to traditional powers, pointing out that other teams have the capability to progress far in the tournament.
"There are always well-known favorites, but I also see Morocco and Senegal among the teams capable of competing and delivering a strong tournament," de la Fuente explained.
The Spanish coach concluded by affirming that physical risks are a natural part of football, rejecting the idea of excessive caution during pre-World Cup friendlies.
"Sports always carry a degree of risk. We train daily and understand that. There are no true friendlies, whether the match is official or unofficial. A player cannot stop tackling or playing seriously. Anyone who thinks otherwise does not understand the nature of football," he said.
