Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente expressed growing confidence in his squad ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 32 match against Austria, scheduled for 12:30 am IST on July 2, 2026. Speaking from California, USA, de la Fuente stated that competition in the tournament is extremely high and any team can be beaten on a given day.
Spain's Road to the Round of 32
Spain began their World Cup campaign with a goalless draw against tournament debutants Cabo Verde. However, they rebounded strongly with consecutive wins against Saudi Arabia and Uruguay, securing top spot in their group without conceding a single goal. This marked a significant turnaround for a team that had struggled to progress past the group stage since winning the title in 2010.
De la Fuente's Optimism
As quoted by ESPN, de la Fuente said, "As the days pass, I believe even more in this team. I have always believed in this team. For me, they are the best in the world. As the tournament evolves, there's equality with the results we're seeing." He added, "I am still just as demanding, still just as realistic, but also more optimistic every day."
In comments posted on the Spanish national team's official X handle, de la Fuente noted, "I see the team very confident, focused, and I think we are arriving at a very good moment to compete. The footballing level of this World Cup is very high. In a single match, anyone can beat you."
Attacking Prowess and Respect for Austria
De la Fuente highlighted his side's effectiveness in attack, stating, "We are one of the teams that shoot the most on goal and create the most dangerous chances. We are solid in that aspect." He also acknowledged Austria's improvement over recent years, noting that they qualified for the World Cup after a 28-year absence. "We know Austria, and we know that they have made a leap in quality in recent years," he concluded.
