Spain national team: A good player matters more than a great player

After an extended evaluation of the original 77 players, De La Fuente reduced them to a provisional list of 55, and ultimately the 65-year-old manager entrusted 26 individuals to represent Spain at the 2026 World Cup.

The first principle De La Fuente has stressed for a long time is that he is not obligated to be polite or to satisfy all parties. Subsequently, the era when the Spanish team was split into factions from different clubs has ended, leaving only a unified, youthful, flexible, and experienced core.

A winning collective

Looking at the overall official squad, De La Fuente's working style bears similarities to Thomas Tuchel. Both focus on the essential details that generate collective value. They are precisely the kind of people who align with the philosophy and team spirit that the squad has cultivated.

Beneath De La Fuente's calm and reserved exterior lies a winning DNA. Notably, in every tournament he has led, Spain has at least reached the semifinals. More importantly, he recognizes that the people in his squad are also winners and understands what constitutes a winning team.

La Roja must become a united team, consisting of players who understand, trust, and constantly protect each other's interests. The 65-year-old coach prefers a good person over a skilled player in the lineup. Simply because a decent individual will give their all for teammates, accept being a substitute, and contribute fully when called upon. This mirrors Tuchel, who aims to build a group of people with understanding, bringing positive energy to the dressing room, and responding well to difficult situations with the England team.

This is why players like Laporte, Merino, Rodri, Nico, and Yamal are considered the pillars of Spain at the 2026 World Cup, even though some play in Saudi Arabia, some were injured and didn't feature in the second half of the season, some have just returned from injury, and some suffered serious injuries right before the tournament, like Barcelona's number 10.

On the other hand, one factor that makes La Roja, despite not having many standout stars, perform at a very high level across the board. The 2026 World Cup squad is similar, with only a few world-class talents like Yamal, Rodri, and Pedri, but they are always among the strongest teams in any competition.

Reliable players

This begins with De La Fuente building the team based on people he has known for over a decade during his involvement in Spanish football, a foundation rooted in the victories of the U19 and U21 teams at past European Championships.

This group, supplemented by Nico Williams and Yamal, won the 2023 Nations League and EURO 2024 with him. Thus, despite pressure from Barcelona or Real Madrid regarding Balde or Carreras, he maintains absolute confidence in Cucurella. This is just one example of his trust in his core disciples.

De La Fuente's biggest concern regarding the 2026 World Cup squad is not reputation or playing quality, even though he always surrounds himself with players who share deep understanding and long-standing bonds, like Morata, who was omitted due to a decline in form.

His clearest understanding is the need for leaders on the pitch. He does not require players with overly strong personalities or charisma, but rather those who are introverted (like Morata), sensitive, and focused on giving everything for the team's benefit. A perfect leader to enhance team cohesion, similar to Rodri.

The 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is certainly the leader De La Fuente desperately needs. In defense, the leadership role falls to Laporte, who constantly drives the team forward. Meanwhile, in attack, he needs Oyarzabal, an unassuming name that always makes an impact in crucial moments, such as scoring the decisive goal in the EURO 2024 final.

Overall, the 65-year-old coach's list for the 2026 World Cup will resemble his previous major tournaments, consisting of players who bring positive energy to the collective, minimize personal interests, and are committed to sacrifice for the team.