De La Fuente sees similarities between current Spain team and 2010 World Cup winners

Luis de la Fuente believes his Spain side are ready to emulate the success of their 2010 team and win the World Cup this summer.

Having won the Euros in 2024, Spain are looking to become only the fourth nation to simultaneously hold both the Euros and the World Cup after West Germany (Euro 1972, World Cup 1974), France (World Cup 1998, Euro 2000), and Spain themselves (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012).

Their 2010 triumph was their first in the competition, with Andres Iniesta's extra-time winner securing a 1-0 victory in the final over the Netherlands.

Spain start their 2026 campaign on June 15 against Cape Verde, before also facing Saudi Arabia and Uruguay in Group H.

Prior to the tournament, La Roja will face Iraq on Thursday and Peru on Tuesday in warm-up matches.

Spain are currently unbeaten in their last 31 competitive matches (W25 D6), and though De La Fuente believes his side can go all the way in the World Cup, he insisted it will not be easy.

"We still have to try to win a World Cup, but I think we're ready for it," said De La Fuente.

"When people tell me things about that generation [2010], they can be applied to the present day.

El último entrenamiento en nuestra casa.

Te echaremos de menos, Ciudad del Fútbol.#VamosEspaña | #CopaMundialFIFA pic.twitter.com/qDr7mpuCTI

— Selección Española Masculina de Fútbol (@SEFutbol) June 3, 2026

"AI is the future and I think it's fantastic, but I trust people more. I value what professionals or the media say more.

"In my opinion, it's a historic World Cup because there are many teams with a chance: France, England, Argentina, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Portugal, Senegal.

"It will be a very difficult World Cup, and we feel capable of competing for it."

The Spain boss also offered an update on Lamine Yamal, who is set to be fit for their opener against Cape Verde but will not participate in their friendly against Iraq.

The Barcelona winger's tournament was in doubt after he suffered a hamstring injury in April.

"We're confident Lamine will be ready by the 15th, but I don't know for sure," added De La Fuente.

"If things continue as they are, he might be ready then, but it doesn't guarantee he'll have to play. We'll assess the situation as it unfolds."