Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has expressed his optimism about his side's chances of lifting the 2026 World Cup, ahead of their clash with Austria on Thursday night. De la Fuente believes that his team is capable of winning their first knockout tie since 2010, after crashing out early in the previous three World Cups.
Despite some disappointing performances, De la Fuente is pleased with the progress the team has made so far. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to opponents and driving improvement through high standards. The team has shown signs of automatisms from the past, which De la Fuente attributes to their hard work and dedication.
With no margin for error in their upcoming match, De la Fuente is demanding and realistic, but increasingly optimistic. He believes that his team is the best in the world, and that they have the potential to make a deep run in the tournament.
De la Fuente's comments come after new Atletico Madrid signing Alejandro Grimaldo expressed his frustration with being left on the bench behind Marc Cucurella. However, De la Fuente has dismissed concerns of potential discontent in the Spain camp, saying that the team's focus is on respect and getting along with one another.
The team has been dealing with injuries to several key players, including Victor Munoz, Nico Williams, and Yeremy Pino. However, De la Fuente is optimistic that these players will be available for the rest of the tournament. Lamine Yamal is expected to feature against Austria, and Nico Williams may return for the next match if Spain advances.
With a strong squad and a positive attitude, De la Fuente is confident that his team can make a successful run in the World Cup. He believes that they have the potential to win their first knockout tie since 2010 and bring home a championship.
