Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has overseen arguably the most settled Spain side since 2014, when Vicente del Bosque exited after the Brazil World Cup. Yet certain positions have remained an issue since La Roja lifted the Euro 2024 title.
This week Spain return to World Cup qualifying, knowing that four points against Georgia and Turkiye will be enough to guarantee direct qualification for the United States, Mexico and Canada next week. As fans look up How to buy World Cup 2026 tickets at Livefootballtickets for next year, there will be one or two names in the Spain camp hoping they don’t have to.
Problems in central defence
At Euro 2024, de la Fuente selected and stuck to a pairing of Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand, who were relatively successful. Yet with Laporte moving to Saudi Arabia, and Le Normand struggling to replicate his form at Atletico Madrid, neither have had a straightforward 18 months. Le Normand is currently injured, his second significant injury at Atletico, and not in the squad, while Laporte is back in the squad after sealing a return to Athletic. However the former Manchester City man has had a tricky start to life back at San Mames, as have much of the team.
The partnership of the future
Last season it would have been reasonable to imagine that by the time the 2026 World Cup rolled around, Pau Cubarsi and Dean Huijsen might have usurped them. Both excellent on the ball, Huijsen came into the side in March for the first time and put in two excellent performances in the Nations League against the Netherlands. Cubarsi on the other hand was amongst the best defenders in La Liga last season as part of a domestically dominant Barcelona.
Neither have had the most auspicious starts to this season. Cubarsi has struggled to replicate that form this season, with Barcelona offside line being repeatedly beaten by opponents. Huijsen arrived at Real Madrid with plenty of fanfare, but he has arguably been the weakest of Real Madrid’s defenders this season, making consistent mistakes all year.
The main alternative for de la Fuente
It leaves de la Fuente without an obvious and comfortable pairing for next summer as things stand, albeit he does have good options. Dani Vivian was in the Euro 2024 squad, but he has also been a long way from his best at the start of the season, being sent off in costly fashion, and adapting to a new partnership with Laporte. At the very least, Laporte and Vivian will have the chance to work on their chemistry together at club level.
