Spain coach Luis de la Fuente downplays favoritism ahead of 2026 World Cup

Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente told the Spanish newspaper AS that his team should not be considered the outright favourite for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He questioned what being a "favorite" really means and noted that Spain’s chances are comparable to those of France, Brazil and Argentina.

De la Fuente also named other potential challengers, mentioning Portugal, the Netherlands, England and several African nations as sides that could surprise. He emphasized the tight balance among the top teams, stating, "The competition is incredibly close. There is more parity at the national‑team level than at club level. The most important match for us is against Cape Verde."

Spain open Group H against Cape Verde on 15 June at Mercedes‑Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with Uruguay and Saudi Arabia also in the group.