The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has begun for the Spanish team, currently at the top of the world rankings, as the leadership of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) focuses on concluding an agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) that will allow the organization of the Finalissima, the official match between the continental champions of Europe and South America. According to Europa Press, Rafael Louzán, President of the RFEF, stressed that this progress is part of a strategy aimed at strengthening the association’s international presence, especially in the context of growing visibility and global competitiveness.
As Europa Press reported, Louzán recognized that the federation’s ambition to conclude the finalissima with the AFA represents both a sporting and institutional opportunity. The event is scheduled for March and will bring together Spain and Argentina as representatives of their respective continents and place both associations at the center of the international football stage. According to Louzán’s words, reported by the media, the celebration of this meeting will allow us to strengthen the strategic ties between both entities and contribute to consolidating the institutional image of Spanish football.
Europa Press explained that the expectations of the organization of the Finalissima are reflected in both Europe and South America and are perceived as an opportunity to forge high-level relationships and promote the internationalization of football. Louzán emphasized that the greatness of this game lies in facing the current champions, which increases media exposure and interest from associations and fans on both continents.
The draw for the group stage of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Mexico and Canada, marks another milestone for the Spanish team’s planning. In conversations reported by Europa Press and Cadena Ser, the president of the association directly linked the results of the draw to the determination of the national team’s technical strategy. Spain’s position within the groups will be crucial in adapting the roadmap drawn up by the national coach and his work team.
In this sense, Louzán pointed out that Spain’s perspective as one of the “rivals to beat”, derived from its position at the top of the world rankings, implies the assumption of the pressure and responsibility associated with this status. However, the president specified: “This must be proven on the field” and referred to the need to confirm the designation of favorites through sporting results. Europa Press pointed out that Louzán insisted that the leader’s position only made sense if it translated into victories against top teams.
According to the media, the leader also discussed the qualities of the current Spanish squad, highlighting both the professional quality of the players and the internal cohesion and leadership of the coaching staff. Louzán explained that the group is in a phase marked by rigorous attention to the aspects that could affect performance at the World Cup, while the federation is closely following every progress in the preparation process. The shared ambition of winning a second world title after 2010 is renewed by the immediacy of the draw and the knowledge of the original rivals.
According to Europa Press, Louzán explained that the “anticipation” for the next World Cup was unanimously felt by both the players and the management environment. Every step of the process, from administrative advances such as the agreement for the finalissima to sports planning based on the draw, is part of a long-term comprehensive strategy. In this regard, the President said: “Spain is ready to receive everyone. If we want to become world champions, and at the moment we are the best team in the world according to the rankings, it must be ready to play with the best.”
The association’s institutional vision includes not only the competition area, but also the strengthening of international relations. Europa Press reported that Louzán believes that organizing the Finalissima and participating in the World Cup represent fundamental platforms to position Spanish football on the global stage. The RFEF aims to use these opportunities to consolidate strategic alliances with other major associations and strengthen Spain’s image as an international benchmark for sport.
As for the technical preparation, the coaching staff and managers have already started to analyze the possible configurations for the draw and the adjustments that the team may need to face the group’s rivals. The logistical and sporting details published by Europa Press will be adjusted as soon as the final composition of the groups is determined, in order to ensure the necessary flexibility to respond to developments that may arise as the World Cup progresses.
Both the finalissima and participation in the 2026 World Cup are considered by the RFEF as important references for the medium and long-term development of the national team. Louzán believed that the combination of administrative achievements, international competitiveness and unity in the national dressing room set the stage for the next challenges in the international football calendar. For the president, the joint work of managers, coaches and players is the team’s most important asset.
As Europa Press reports, the association also plans to use the greater international presence resulting from these events to improve institutional capacity and win new cooperation agreements. These objectives, according to the President, form the core of the RFEF’s internationalization strategy, which aims to position Spain not only in the sporting field but also in the institutional and organizational field.
Finally, Europa Press emphasized that for Louzán, the preparation process for the 2026 World Cup and the conclusion of the agreement with the AFA go hand in hand. Both challenges will redefine the role of the national team and the federation on the global stage and bring Spain into a key phase for its sporting and institutional future.