Stay calm: Luis de la Fuente cools the debate over the goalkeeping spot | OneFootball

Stay calm: Luis de la Fuente cools the debate over the goalkeeping spot | OneFootball

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OneFootball

·3 June 2026

Stay calm: Luis de la Fuente cools the debate over the goalkeeping spot

Article image:Stay calm: Luis de la Fuente cools the debate over the goalkeeping spot

Spain national team coach Luis de la Fuente spoke to the media on the eve of Spain’s second-to-last warm-up friendly, against Iraq.

With two weeks to go before La Roja’s highly anticipated World Cup debut against Cape Verde, the Haro-born manager kept his usual secrecy over one of the hottest debates surrounding the national team: the goalkeeper position.


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Despite repeated questions from the press, the Riojan coach avoided giving any names for the starting eleven. “Out of respect, I always make a habit of giving the lineup to the players first,” De la Fuente said, explaining why the decision is still being kept under wraps publicly.

Starting eleven all but set

Even so, the coach admitted that he already has a very clear idea ahead of the opener. “But if you ask me today which goalkeeper will start, yes, I know. I’d almost say I know the full team,” he told reporters, showing that his strategy for the tournament is already taking shape.

The upcoming training sessions on the pitch will help fine-tune the final details before the opening match. “We’ll assess what happens over the next few days to confirm that thinking or make any changes,” the coach added regarding preparations.

Finally, De la Fuente wanted to send a message of complete reassurance to Spain fans ahead of the World Cup, guaranteeing the high level of his goalkeepers: “Stay calm, it’s going to be a top-class goalkeeper.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.


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