Spain have extended Luis de la Fuente’s contract through 2032 after the 65-year-old coach led La Roja to the World Cup title this summer, extending a remarkable run of success since he took charge of the national team in 2022. His previous agreement was due to expire in 2028, but the new deal keeps him in charge through the next two European Championships and the 2030 World Cup.
De la Fuente will lead Spain into the 2030 World Cup
The extension was ratified by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) board of directors on Monday, with the new agreement adding four years to De la Fuente’s previous contract.The RFEF confirmed that De la Fuente will remain Spain coach through the 2028 European Championship, the 2030 World Cup and the 2032 European Championship.Spain will co-host the 2030 World Cup alongside Morocco and Portugal, while the 2032 European Championship will be split between Italy and Türkiye.De la Fuente’s previous contract had been scheduled to run until 2028, meaning the extension gives him responsibility for two of the most significant tournaments on Spain’s upcoming calendar beyond the next European Championship.RFEF board chairman Rafael Louzan described the decision as recognition of De la Fuente’s achievements with the national team and his long association with the federation.“We’re talking about the most successful head coach in the history of the national team, and after fourteen years with us, this is something Luis de la Fuente deserves, a long-term future at the RFEF,” Louzan said.The RFEF also said in a statement that De la Fuente “will extend his contract through the next two European Championships, in 2028 and 2032, as well as the 2030 World Cup”.
A run of three major international titles
De la Fuente took charge of Spain at the end of 2022, replacing Luis Enrique after Spain were eliminated by Morocco in the round of 16 at the World Cup in Qatar.His tenure has since transformed Spain’s results on the international stage, beginning with the UEFA Nations League title in 2023, followed by European Championship glory in 2024 and the 2026 World Cup title earlier this year.The World Cup victory gave Spain their second World Cup title, completing a run that has established De la Fuente as one of the most successful coaches in the country’s history.Before replacing Luis Enrique at senior level, De la Fuente had already spent years working within the RFEF structure, coaching several of Spain’s youth teams.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente attends training session ahead of a FIFA World Cup round of 32 soccer match against Austria in Carson, Calif., Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
He spent a decade working with the federation’s youth sides, winning the European Under-19 Championship and European Under-21 Championship, as well as a silver medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.His promotion to the senior team therefore followed an extended period working with Spanish players at international youth level rather than representing his first role within the federation.
Spain return to action after World Cup triumph
Spain will return to international action this week for the first time since beating Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey in July.Their first match comes against England at Wembley on September 26, beginning an extended international window that includes four UEFA Nations League fixtures.Spain will then return home to face Croatia in Seville on September 29, before hosting the Czech Republic in Oviedo on October 3.They will finish the international window with another trip to Croatia on October 6.The fixtures will mark De la Fuente’s first games since guiding Spain to the World Cup title, while his new contract ensures that the coach who delivered the country’s latest major trophies will remain responsible for the national team’s next stage through 2032.
