Luis de la Fuente to Remain Spain Head Coach Until 2032
The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has extended Luis de la Fuente’s contract as Spain head coach until 2032, securing his position through the next two European Championships and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The agreement was approved unanimously by the RFEF Board of Directors on September 21, 2026, following Spain’s triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The new deal represents a six-year extension and continues De la Fuente’s work with the senior national team after a period in which Spain have won major international trophies under his leadership.
A Successful Period for Spain
De la Fuente took charge of Spain’s senior team in December 2022 after previously working extensively within the federation’s youth setup.
Since then, Spain have won the UEFA Nations League in 2023, the European Championship in 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Spain defeated Croatia in the 2023 Nations League final before winning Euro 2024 against England in Berlin.
Two years later, Spain added another major trophy by defeating Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19. The victory gave Spain their second World Cup title.
The RFEF said the contract extension provides continuity after what it described as a historic period for the national team.
Contract Covers 2028 and 2032 Euros
De la Fuente’s new agreement will take him through the 2028 European Championship and the 2032 European Championship, as well as the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Spain will be among the hosts of the 2030 World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco, with Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina also involved in hosting matches.
The 2028 European Championship will therefore be one of the first major challenges of the new cycle.
Spain are also preparing for the next UEFA Nations League campaign, with England, Croatia and the Czech Republic listed as their opponents in the group stage.
RFEF Backs Long-Term Stability
RFEF president Rafael Louzán said the federation wanted to build a long-term project based on stability and confidence.
The federation described De la Fuente as the most decorated coach in Spain’s national-team history based on his collection of major international titles.
The decision also reflects the federation’s desire to maintain continuity after the World Cup triumph rather than immediately beginning another coaching cycle.
De la Fuente has been part of the Spanish football federation for more than a decade, having worked with several youth national teams before taking charge of the senior side.
His youth-team record included the 2015 European Under-19 Championship and the 2019 European Under-21 Championship, among other achievements.
De la Fuente Sets His Sights on More Success
Following the contract extension, De la Fuente said Spain must continue improving and competing for trophies.
The coach has repeatedly emphasised collective effort, unity and humility as important elements of the team's approach.
His new contract gives him the opportunity to oversee another extended period with a group that has already achieved success at both European and global level.
The RFEF also highlighted Spain’s unbeaten run under De la Fuente. According to the federation, Spain reached 38 consecutive official matches without defeat, a record recognised by Guinness World Records.
Across his first 50 matches in charge, De la Fuente recorded 38 victories, giving him a 76% win rate according to the RFEF.
Focus Now Turns to the Next Generation
Although Spain have just won the World Cup, the extended contract means De la Fuente will also oversee the gradual development of the next generation of players.
The coach has already shown a willingness to work with players developed through Spain’s youth system, something that has been a feature of his career within the federation.
The challenge of the next cycle will involve maintaining Spain’s competitiveness while integrating emerging players into a squad that has already achieved significant success.
Spain have already begun preparations for the new international season. De la Fuente announced his first squad since the World Cup triumph on September 18 for the opening UEFA Nations League fixtures.
The new cycle therefore begins almost immediately.
A Long-Term Commitment
The decision to keep De la Fuente until 2032 gives Spain a clear coaching structure for several major tournaments.
The arrangement covers the period leading into the 2030 World Cup, which will have a particularly significant connection to Spain because the country will host part of the tournament.
It also takes De la Fuente through Euro 2032, meaning the coach could potentially oversee Spain across an unusually long period of international competition.
For now, the immediate objective is the UEFA Nations League, followed by preparations for Euro 2028.
After winning the Nations League, European Championship and World Cup during his time in charge, De la Fuente now enters another chapter with Spain.
The RFEF's decision confirms that the federation intends to continue with the coach who guided the national team through its recent trophy-winning period.
