EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — We called it the FIFA World Cup of superstars, and it certainly lived up to the name. The big names all made their mark: Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Michael Olise, Harry Kane, and Cristiano Ronaldo (at least in his match against Uzbekistan).
In a sport known for its twists, it’s fitting that the 2026 World Cup goes to Spain, embodying the spirit of teamwork your little league coach used to emphasize: “there’s no ‘I’ in team.”
While Luis de la Fuente’s squad showcases some individual talent, they’re not defined by star power. Talents like Pedri and Lamine Yamal shine at their crafts, yet Pedri found himself on the bench after the round of 16, and Yamal played primarily as a typical wide player, rather than showcasing the audacious creativity he exhibits at Barcelona.
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This isn’t solely a reflection of de la Fuente’s leadership; Yamal’s injury before the tournament and Pedri’s availability in Fabián Ruiz are factors too. However, the seamless acceptance among reporters, players, and staff of this approach is striking. De la Fuente may resemble a substitute science teacher, yet he commands respect and trust through his achievements, including the UEFA European Championship win two summers ago and his extensive tenure nurturing youth within the Spanish FA.
His demeanor is calm and grounded, qualities mirrored in his Spain team. Astonishingly, many players came off disappointing or injury-plagued seasons.
Goalkeeper Unai Simón, who conceded just once throughout the tournament, faced challenges at Athletic Club, as did center back Aymeric Laporte. Right back Pedro Porro nearly faced relegation with Tottenham Hotspur, while left back Marc Cucurella and his Chelsea squad experienced a tumultuous season without European qualification.
Rodri, a former Ballon d’Or recipient, had a lackluster season with Manchester City due to injuries and subpar performances. Ruiz was a UEFA Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, but injuries limited him to just 13 league starts. Álex Baena and Dani Olmo faced similar ups and downs at Atlético Madrid and Real Sociedad, respectively, while Mikel Oyarzabal struggled to find his footing, netting only nine goals in open play.
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Consider just one player from Spain whose club season stood out as injury-free and impressive: Pau Cubarsí.
However, perhaps this was a necessary trajectory for the team. This mentality of hunger and ambition likely fueled Spain’s success in the tournament, with players eager to prove themselves and focusing solely on the World Cup since March.
The result was a meticulously organized unit, illustrating the power of team effort over individual talent. It’s noteworthy to compare this Spain starting XI with the legendary group that won the 2010 World Cup, which boasted talents like Iker Casillas, Gerard Piqué, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and David Villa.
That previous squad was packed with future legends in their prime. Unlike them, Spain’s 2026 squad thrived by fostering a cohesive unit with a clear tactical framework—a concept amplified by de la Fuente’s strategies and his players’ selflessness.
The press-and-possession style he implemented was a refinement of his approach seen during Euro 2024, diverging from setting Yamal and Nico Williams as aggressive wingers. Instead, it mirrored Pep Guardiola’s early Barcelona tactics: maintaining ball control and forcing opponents to chase, tiring them out, and exploiting turnovers high up the field. Throughout the tournament, Olmo demonstrated excellence in both strategies, and in a just world, would have claimed the Golden Ball over Rodri.
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This approach was straightforward yet effective. Mr. Miyagi would certainly approve, just as he likely admires the calm demeanor exuded by de la Fuente, which also permeated throughout the team.
It was this composure that enabled them to navigate challenging moments, such as the draw with Cape Verde, the gritty battle against Uruguay, and the formidable challenge posed by France’s talented forwards. This focus carried into the final against Argentina, who started the match aggressively, with referee Slavko Vincic adopting a “let them play” strategy. Nevertheless, for Spain, it was all about keeping their eyes on the prize, a sentiment perhaps encapsulated by Rodri, who remained unflappable throughout, no matter the provocation.
Spain’s patience also helped mitigate their potential weakness: inconsistent finishing and a lack of a true center forward. Statistics indicated that they generated numerous opportunities yet struggled to convert them regularly. Oyarzabal, despite his talents, exemplified a recycled winger adapting to a central role, showcasing great movement and an unbeatable work rate but lacking that instinctive ability to finish honed from years of experience in goal-scoring positions.
The impenetrable defense, expertly directed by Cubarsí (the “other” 19-year-old on this team), kept Spain competitive and prevented them from panicking. Remarkably, they concluded the tournament having conceded only a single goal across eight matches, establishing a new benchmark for defensive excellence.
While it may be tempting to draw moral lessons from successful sports teams, Spain’s journey offers clear lessons about collaboration, discipline, humility, and intelligence—all qualities illuminated by the composed and charismatic presence of de la Fuente.