2026 FIFA World Cup draws political controversy and sees Spain coach Luis de la Fuente debut at age 64

Spain’s national team is traveling to the United States for the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 5, after a friendly against Iraq. Coach Luis de la Fuente will attend his first World Cup at 64, reflecting on his growth and preparation for the tournament.

A day before the tournament’s start, the French newspaper L’Équipe ran a cover showing former President Donald Trump holding the World Cup trophy and manipulating FIFA president Gianni Infantino as a puppet, criticizing perceived political interference. The paper also highlighted visa‑related disputes, including the denial of entry to Somali referee Omar Artan and strict security checks on teams such as Senegal and Uzbekistan, raising concerns about the event’s promised universality.