Spanish Federation Extends Luis de la Fuente's Contract Through 2032

The Spanish soccer federation has already settled the future of its dugout well into the next decade. The RFEF has decided to extend Luis de la Fuente's contract through 2032, a direct reward after leading Spain to the World Cup title this summer.

The coach's previous deal was set to run through 2028, right after the European Championship to be held in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Now, with this extension signed, De la Fuente will remain in charge of La Roja four years longer than originally planned. That's no small thing: this is a long-term commitment to a coach who has completely transformed the national team's fortunes.

What does this mean in practical terms? That De la Fuente will lead Spain in defense of its world title in 2030, a tournament the country will co-host along with Morocco and Portugal, and also at the 2032 European Championship, which will be split between Italy and Turkey. The agreement to extend his contract was ratified by the RFEF's board of directors at a meeting held on Monday.

From the Youth Ranks to the Top of the World

De la Fuente, 65, took over the senior national team in late 2022, right after Luis Enrique's World Cup exit in the round of 16 against Morocco. Since then, the coach from La Rioja has turned around the national team's fortunes in a way few could have predicted.

Under his leadership, Spain won the 2023 UEFA Nations League, followed by the 2024 European Championship, and, to close out a nearly perfect cycle, this year's World Cup, the country's second in history. Before taking over from Luis Enrique, De la Fuente had already made his mark working with various RFEF youth categories, where he racked up successes including the Under-19 and Under-21 European Championships and a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Now it's back to business. Spain returns to action this week for the first time since that World Cup final win over Argentina in New Jersey this past July. The opening test could hardly be tougher: a trip to London to face England at Wembley, kicking off an international window packed with four Nations League matches. Next up will be home dates against Croatia and Czechia, before wrapping up the break with another visit to Croatian soil.