Spain coach Luis de la Fuente will not allow his players to relax and be satisfied with what they achieved this summer when they were crowned world champions, with their return to competitions this week for the first time since their coronation at the expense of Argentina.
Although they imposed their dominance over Europe in 2024 and then won the World Cup this summer, the Spaniards are looking to continue development and progress when they face England on Saturday in the European Nations League.
De la Fuente said that, after beating Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19, he was already thinking about the future.
The 65-year-old coach signed a new contract earlier this week binding him to the national team until 2032.
De La Fuente said: “In the midst of the celebrations, after only two or three minutes, one of the players came to me and asked me: What do we have left to win? Well, the England match is on September 26.”
He added: “This team never stops. The World Cup is not enough, we have to become better. What we achieved is not enough to win the next match.”
Spain's next big goal will be the 2028 European Cup, where it has a chance to emulate the achievement of the golden generation that won the 2008 European Cup, the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Cup.
De La Fuente admitted that repeating that achievement would not be easy, saying: “In life, it is very difficult to win, and the number of losers is much greater than the number of winners,” adding: “Repeating previous successes in terms of titles... We will try to be in a position that allows us to compete for victory.”
He added: “We are now the team that everyone wants to defeat. This is an additional motivation.”
England, led by German Thomas Tuchel, who lost to Spain in the 2024 European Cup final, is a direct reminder of the level that the world champions are expected to maintain.
De La Fuente called up a squad very similar to the one that won the World Cup, in preparation for the upcoming European Nations League matches against England, Croatia (twice), and the Czech Republic.
Young star Lamine Gamal, who has regained his form with Barcelona, and captain Rodri remain the most prominent pillars of the team, and both are candidates for the Golden Ball, despite some changes in the rest of the list.
Barcelona midfielder Fermin Lopez returned after missing the World Cup due to a foot injury, and Real Madrid defender Dean Housen was also called up again.
The injury of goalkeeper Joan Garcia made way for Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez, while the brilliant Espanyol striker Roberto Fernandez may make his debut with “La Roja,” while Ivan Fresneda received a late call-up as a replacement for injured Tottenham defender Pedro Porro.
“How can there not be continuity with players who have won everything,” De La Fuente said. But this does not mean that we will not give the opportunity to those who knock on the door.”
Mikel Oyarzabal led Spain's attack during most of its World Cup campaign, while Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the final, but Fernandez is able to impose himself after he was chosen at the expense of Real Madrid striker Carlos Espe.
This position, along with other positions, will remain in contention during the European Nations League competitions and on the way to the 2028 European Cup, which de la Fuente sees as ideal.
The coach's message is clear: Spain seeks progress and development despite all the titles it has won, and strong competition within the team may help provide the appropriate environment for this development.
Valencia, on Wednesday, signed former Mexico national team coach Javier Aguirre until the end of the season, to replace interim coach Oscar Sanchez, who in turn replaced Carlos Corberan, last week.
Aguirre returns to Spanish football after a two-year absence, during which he coached the Mexican national team. At this year's World Cup, Aguirre led Mexico to its first knockout stage victory in the tournament since 1986 on home soil, before losing 3-2 to England in the round of 16.
Valencia will be the seventh Spanish club managed by Aguirre. The club has the right to extend his contract for an additional year.
After earning one point from his first five matches, Valencia dismissed Corberan, and Sanchez took over for the next two matches in the Spanish League before the international break, where Valencia beat Alaves, then lost to Real Sociedad.
Thus, Valencia remains in nineteenth place in the standings with 4 points.
On September 13, the club announced the departure of Chief Football Officer Ron Gourlay and Corberan, and returned Braulio Vázquez to assume the position of sporting director, for the second time on the same day.
The experienced duo, Aguirre and Vasquez, will now undertake the task of removing Valencia from the relegation zone in the Spanish League, a battle that has become familiar to the team in recent seasons.
Frenchman Isaac Hajjar will defend the Red Bull colors for the 2027 season of the Formula 1 World Championship after extending his contract, according to what the Austrian team announced, on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix scheduled for this weekend in Baku.
The Austrian team said in a statement: “We are pleased to announce the extension of Ishak Hajjar’s contract, thus completing the duo of drivers for the 2027 season of the Formula 1 World Championship,” referring to the extension of the contract of four-time world champion Dutchman Max Verstappen until 2030 in August.
The young French driver made a strong start to the season in his first year with Red Bull, but his progress was hampered by a wrist injury that forced him to miss the last three rounds.
He is expected to return to the wheel of his car this week in Baku.
Red Bull quoted Hajjar as saying: “I am very happy to continue this adventure with Oracle Red Bull Racing.” “I joined this team eight months ago, and I immediately realized the size and ambition of this organization.”
He added: “I constantly strive to listen, learn and develop myself every day, which increases my enthusiasm for what awaits me in the future.”
For his part, the French director of the Red Bull team, Laurent Mekes, welcomed the contract extension, saying: “We are happy to continue our journey with Isaac. Since joining us at the beginning of the year, he has shown an exceptional level on and off the track, especially since he is still only in his second season in Formula 1. Therefore, the decision to extend his contract was a no-brainer.”
He added: “The period following his injury was difficult for him, but this extension reflects the confidence we place in him, and we are eager to see him again on the track.”
Hajjar, who will turn 22 next Monday, is ranked eighth in the World Championship standings with 71 points.
He reached the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix by finishing third, and also achieved a series of seven consecutive places in the top six before suffering an injury.
The Frenchman is playing his second season in Formula 1 after finishing runner-up in the Formula 2 championship in 2024. After a distinguished first season with the Racing Bulls team in 2025, this year he moved to Red Bull to partner with Verstappen.
