Luis de la Fuente close to extending Spain contract to 2030 after World Cup success

Luis de la Fuente is close to signing a new contract as the Spain men’s national team head coach to 2030.

The 65-year-old’s current terms are due to expire at the end of the 2028 European Championship, but after winning this summer’s World Cup he is close to extending his time in the role to eight years in total.

Talks between the national football federation (RFEF) and Spain-based agent Alvaro Torres, of United States agency Gersh, have been ongoing for the past two months and sources with knowledge of the negotiations have indicated they are now entering the final stages.

Since joining in December 2022, De la Fuente has won the Nations League title in 2023 and the 2024 Euros — beating England 2-1 in the final. The recent World Cup win in the U.S., Canada and Mexico marked his third major trophy with the side.

The extra-time victory against Argentina at the MetLife stadium meant Spain became the first nation to hold the men’s and women’s World Cups simultaneously, with the men also reigning European champions.

Spain will defend their world title as co-hosts, alongside Morocco and Portugal, in 2030.

Before earning the senior role, De la Fuente spent nine years with Spain’s youth teams on the men’s side, winning a European Under-19 Championship in 2015, a European Under-21 Championship in 2019 and a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Spain’s next fixture comes against England in the Nations League group stage on September 26.

Why this move ‘makes a lot of sense’

Luis de la Fuente’s contract renewal makes a lot of sense for two reasons.

First, the 65-year-old coach has played a key role in restoring Spain to the top of international football, winning the UEFA Nations League, the European Championship and the World Cup. This new contract, which has been under negotiation, is therefore a way of recognising his achievements.

Secondly, it is about the sporting project ahead of the 2030 World Cup, which will be hosted by Spain, Morocco and Portugal. His previous contract was due to expire in 2028, so this extension allows the Spanish FA to plan with that objective in mind.

His coaching staff are also expected to remain in place until 2030. That would be different from what happened after Spain won Euro 2024, when De la Fuente lost his assistant Pablo Amo, who left to join Qatar side Al Arabi.