Los Angeles, July 2: Ahead of their Round of 32 clash against Austria in the FIFA World Cup 2026, Spain’s head coach Luis de la Fuente expressed that his team is entering the match with full confidence. However, he emphasized that there is no room for carelessness in knockout matches. He stated that the players trust their abilities, but delivering an excellent performance on the field is crucial for victory.
After securing the top spot in Group H, Spain will face Austria, the runners-up of Group J, on Thursday in Los Angeles. During a pre-match press conference, De La Fuente noted that the team’s confidence has been steadily rising. He remarked, “Our players know their level. They have complete faith in their abilities. This confidence is not arrogance. The players are aware that they are performing well, but they also understand that each match presents a new challenge.”
The Spanish coach believes that his team’s performance has consistently improved throughout the tournament. He mentioned that the players are fully prepared for the challenges of the knockout stage. “We have the capability to defeat a strong team like Austria. We possess a solid strategy and excellent players, but being strong on paper means nothing. It is essential to showcase our game on the field,” he added.
De La Fuente also praised the Austrian team, highlighting their speed, aggressive style, and high-pressing football. He noted that they are also strong in man-to-man defending, which will force Spain’s players to fight for every ball. “Austria is a very aggressive team. They apply constant pressure and force players into making mistakes. We know this will not be an easy match. We must play with full strength in both attack and defense,” he said.
The coach acknowledged that his team needs to maintain ball control and demonstrate greater passing accuracy in this match. He explained that if Austria defends with many players around their penalty box, short passes and correct decisions will be crucial.
He stated, “The most important thing for us will be accuracy. In previous matches, our passing has not always been as good as it should be. We must correct those mistakes because even a small error can be costly in knockout matches.” Spain has maintained good ball control in this tournament, but the team has missed some opportunities to score in the final third. De La Fuente affirmed that his team will not change their playing style but will focus on improving it.
The coach remarked, “No team in football is perfect. Every team has its strategy, and new situations arise in every match. We must capitalize on the crucial moments of the game.” Regarding team selection, De La Fuente provided important updates. He confirmed that winger Nico Williams will miss the match against Austria due to physical issues. However, if Spain advances to the next round, he is expected to be fit for the Round of 16.
In contrast, the injury to Yeremi Pino from the last match is not serious, and he has not suffered a fracture. Meanwhile, young star Lamine Yamal is fully fit and ready to play. However, the coach declined to disclose whether Yamal would be in the starting lineup. De La Fuente also mentioned that the team has specifically prepared for penalty shootouts, as knockout matches can be decided by penalties. The players are continuously practicing this skill.
He stated, “Penalties are not just a game of luck. There are specialist players for this. However, the final decision will depend on which players are on the field at the end of the match.” Since winning the World Cup in 2010, Spain has not performed as expected in the knockout stages. The team exited in the group stage in 2014, and in 2018 and 2022, they faced defeats in the Round of 16 via penalty shootouts.
De La Fuente is confident that this time his team can change history. He said, “This team is accustomed to setting new records. We hope to end the cycle of past disappointments this time. But for now, our complete focus is on the match against Austria. If we show our best game, we have every potential to advance to the next round.”
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