Coupe du monde 2026 – Équipe d’Espagne : Luis de la Fuente poursuit s…

Sacré champion du monde 2026 dimanche face à l’Argentine, Luis de la Fuente confirme qu’il est bien plus qu’un simple sélectionneur de transition. Depuis son arrivée à la tête de la Roja en 2022, le technicien espagnol construit un projet solide et s’inscrit déjà parmi les entraîneurs marquants de l’histoire du football espagnol. djcc.club

Une impressionnante collection de titres

Luis de la Fuente est en train d’écrire une page majeure avec les sélections espagnoles. Son palmarès parle pour lui : champion d’Europe U19 en 2015, champion d’Europe U21 en 2019, vainqueur de la Ligue des Nations en 2023 avec l’équipe A, puis champion d’Europe en 2024 et champion du monde en 2026.

Cinq trophées majeurs remportés avec différentes générations de joueurs, mais toujours avec une même philosophie basée sur la maîtrise collective et la qualité technique.

Une régularité exceptionnelle

Depuis sa nomination à la tête de la sélection espagnole en 2022, Luis de la Fuente affiche un bilan impressionnant avec seulement deux défaites. Une régularité remarquable alors que la Roja a disputé et remporté les plus grandes compétitions internationales ces dernières années.

Lors de la Coupe du monde 2026, l’Espagne n’a jamais été menée au score, illustrant la maîtrise tactique et la solidité mentale insufflées par son sélectionneur.

Un entraîneur déjà entré dans l’histoire

Avec ce sacre mondial, Luis de la Fuente réalise un exploit rare : réussir à triompher avec les équipes de jeunes puis avec la sélection A. Son doublé Euro-Coupe du monde le place désormais aux côtés des entraîneurs ayant marqué leur époque.

À 63 ans, il n’a pas seulement accumulé les trophées. Il a également installé une nouvelle dynamique au sein de la Roja et posé les bases d’une génération appelée à durer.

The post Coupe du monde 2026 – Équipe d’Espagne : Luis de la Fuente poursuit son incroyable série appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says his players are giving him ‘good answers’ during their preseason training in Spain.

This after the Buccaneers came back from a goal down to beat Cádiz CF 2-1 in a friendly played at the Cádiz Sports Complex this past weekend.

Ibon Sanchez gave Cádiz the lead in the third minute, but Tshepang Moremi restored parity seven minutes later. Daniel Msendami scored the winner just before the half-time break.

‘I have seen a lot of interesting things’

“I think the players gave me really good answers. We can see that step by step, we are increasing the intensity. We are close to the intensity of the league, and we are starting in two weeks,” Ouaddou told SuperSportBET after the game.

“So, I have seen a lot of interesting things, firstly, defensively and team spirit. The aim is to have this compactness, to be aggressive to the opponent on one side, and to recover the ball in terms of defensive animation.

“We have seen some good transitions as well. We have scored in transition. The fact that we have played many players is because in the previous game [against Cordoba] we played one team, and again we gave chances to some players, now for one hour.

“Step by step, the objective is to come close to 90 minutes, and in the next games, we are starting to give more game time to more players. Overall, I’m very happy with what I have seen, very good team spirit.”

Ouaddou calls for more focus

Ouaddou added that they knew when they came to Spain that they were not going to face easy games.

“All the Spanish teams can play. They have a very strong physical side, and I think my team gave me very good answers. It’s what we’ll face in the PSL. So, I think we are cruising nicely, and we are just going to give some rest to the players, and I’m very happy.”

“Maybe if I’m to be a bit disappointed, it’s how we started the game [against Cádiz], the first 10 minutes, and I said to the guys, we are close to starting the league, and we need to concentrate from the beginning of games,” concluded Ouaddou.

Pirates next face Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad on Tuesday before meeting UD Las Palmas a day after. They will then wrap up their Spanish tour with a game against Neom SC on Friday.

Kaizer Chiefs and Bafana rising star Mduduzi Shabalala has joined the PUMA South Africa football family and features in the campaign for the new PUMA ULTRA 7 football boot.

The 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who made his Bafana debut in October 2025, joins a glittering PUMA football lineup which includes Teboho Mokoena, Themba Zwane, Iqraam Rayners, Bathusi Aubaas, Malibongwe Khoza, Patrick Maswanganyi, Thapelo Morena, Sailor Mudau, and Mfundo Vilakazi.

“Mdu’s performances last season were impressive, and we believe that we are signing a player that will be at the forefront of SA football for many years to come, and who will drive on-pitch visibility of our ULTRA football boots,” said PUMA SA’s Tshepo Mashishi.

“He is a player that has the talent to be a part of the SA national team and become one of the leaders when we are back on the world stage at the 2030 World Cup.”

Mdu delighted to join PUMA

Shabalala is excited to join the PUMA football family. “My decision was based on how well PUMA’s values, vision, and commitment to athletes align with my own goals and journey as a footballer. I push myself every day to improve, compete at the highest level, and make an impact on and off the pitch. I believe my ambition, work ethic, and passion for the game align perfectly with the brand.”

Looking forward to the new season, he said: “I want to improve my consistency, contribute more goals and assists, and continue developing all aspects of my game to help the team succeed.”

Shabalala will open the new season playing in the new PUMA ULTRA 7. “It’s lightweight, comfortable, and built for speed, which suits my style of play perfectly,” commented Shabalala.

Chiefs will kick off their 2026/2027 Betway Premiership season with an away match against newly-promoted Kruger United at Mbombela Stadium on 1 August.