Luis de la Fuente looking ahead to next chapter for Spain after World Cup triumph

[p]La Roja may have conquered Europe in 2024 and then the world this summer, but when they face [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/england/j9N9ZNFA/"]England[/a] in the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/game/soccer/england-j9N9ZNFA/spain-bLyo6mco/?mid=C42ySF3j"]Nations League on Saturday[/a], they will be seeking to improve.[/p][p]De la Fuente said in the aftermath of the World Cup final victory over [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/argentina/f9OppQjp/"]Argentina[/a] in New Jersey in July, he was already looking to the future.[/p][p]The 65-year-old signed a contract extension, keeping him with the team until 2032, earlier this week.[/p][p][b]"In the heat of the moment, two or three minutes later, a player came up to me and said, 'What do we still have to win?' Well, the match against England on September 26th,"[/b] said De la Fuente.[/p][p]"This team never stops. The World Cup isn't enough - we have to be better. What we've achieved isn't enough to win the next match."[/p][embed guid="a4e8295f-df13-4201-88bb-ccb40932b9bc" url="https://x.com/SEFutbol/status/2101991351298457835" social-type="twitter" /][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/spain/bLyo6mco/"]Spain[/a]'s next major target will be the 2028 European championships, where they have a chance to emulate the La Roja side that won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012.[/p][p]De la Fuente admitted that repeating that feat would be tricky.[/p][p][b]"In life it's very hard to win, and many more (teams) lose than win,"[/b] he said.[/p][p]"Repeating past successes in terms of titles... we're going to try to be in a position to compete to win.[/p][p][b]"Now we're the team to beat. That's an added motivation."[/b][/p][h2]New faces[/h2][p]Thomas Tuchel's England, who lost to Spain in the Euro 2024 final, offer an immediate reminder of the level Spain will be expected to maintain as world champions.[/p][p]De la Fuente picked a similar squad to his World Cup team for the upcoming Nations League games against England, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/croatia/K8aznggo/"]Croatia[/a] twice, and the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/czech-republic/6LHwBDGU/"]Czech Republic[/a].[/p][p]Teenage star [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/lamine-yamal/lAt3vEub/"]Lamine Yamal[/a], having returned to form with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/barcelona/SKbpVP5K/"]Barcelona[/a], and captain Rodri remain the key figures, and are both in the running to win the Ballon d'Or, although there have been a few changes elsewhere.[/p][p]Barcelona midfielder [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fermin/2c2ipETG/"]Fermin Lopez[/a] returned, after missing the World Cup with a foot injury, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/real-madrid/W8mj7MDD/"]Real Madrid[/a] defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/huijsen-dean/2V3qUZAd/"]Dean Huijsen[/a] has been recalled too.[/p][p]Goalkeeper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/garcia-pons-joan/vuAlEqes/"]Joan Garcia[/a]'s injury opened the door to [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/inter/Iw7eKK25/"]Inter[/a] stopper [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/martinez-josep/n5XVsSqd/"]Josep Martinez[/a], in-form [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/espanyol/QFfPdh1J/"]Espanyol[/a] striker [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fernandez-roberto/l2dekgrS/"]Roberto Fernandez[/a] could make his first appearance for La Roja and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/fresneda-ivan/vaFVDD6r/"]Ivan Fresneda[/a] earned a late call-up in place of hurt [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/tottenham/UDg08Ohm/"]Tottenham[/a] defender [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/porro-pedro/nTebDzHC/"]Pedro Porro[/a].[/p][p]"How could there not be continuity with players who have won everything?" said De la Fuente. "But that doesn't mean we won't give a chance to those who are knocking on the door."[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/oyarzabal-mikel/dQ1P695O/"]Mikel Oyarzabal[/a] led the line for Spain through most of the World Cup, while [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/torres-ferran/AVAVLaLt/"]Ferran Torres[/a] scored the winner in the final, but Fernandez can stake his claim after he was chosen over Real Madrid's [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/espi-carlos/WURwLTen/"]Carlos Espi[/a].[/p][p]That position in the team, among a few others, will be disputed during the Nations League and the build-up to Euro 2028, which is ideal for De la Fuente.[/p][p]The coach's message is clear, with Spain looking to progress despite the trophies they have already won, and strong competition can help foster the right environment for evolution.[/p]