Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has been named the 2026 Men’s Coach of the Year at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, after leading his country to FIFA World Cup glory.
The 65-year-old received the Johan Cruyff Trophy on Monday, October 26, following Spain’s 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final on July 19. The result secured Spain’s second men’s world title.
De la Fuente took charge of the senior national team in December 2022 and has since guided Spain to a remarkable run of success. Before their World Cup triumph, his side won the 2023 UEFA Nations League and Euro 2024.
He was selected ahead of a high-profile shortlist that included Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, Paris Saint-Germain head coach Luis Enrique, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery and Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany.
The award recognises De la Fuente’s leadership during a tournament in which Spain remained unbeaten across all eight matches. Their campaign ended with victory over Argentina in a final that was goalless after normal time and decided in extra time.
Ferran Torres scored the winning goal in the 106th minute to settle the contest.
The success also made De la Fuente the oldest manager to win the men’s FIFA World Cup. He was 65 years and 28 days old when Spain lifted the trophy, surpassing the previous record held by fellow Spaniard Vicente del Bosque, who led Spain to the 2010 title.
Spain’s record-breaking campaign
Spain conceded only one goal during the expanded 2026 World Cup, while goalkeeper Unai Simon kept seven clean sheets. That was a tournament record for the most shutouts by a goalkeeper in a single edition of the men’s World Cup.
Winning in London strengthened Spain’s standing among international football’s leading nations, adding the global title to their recent continental and international honours.
Spain also became the first country to hold the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles at the same time. The women’s team won their tournament in 2023.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy is the latest individual recognition for De la Fuente’s work across Spain’s national-team structure. Before moving into the senior role, he coached the country’s youth teams and helped develop players who have since become important members of the senior squad.
His record with Spain now includes the 2023 Nations League, Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
The 2026 award also ends a run in which the Men’s Coach of the Year prize had gone to managers working in club football. De la Fuente’s victory therefore represents a notable recognition for international coaching.
It completes a year in which Spain returned to the top of world football and De la Fuente received one of the game’s most prestigious individual coaching honours.
