Madrid [Spain], June 5 (ANI): Ahead of their FIFA World Cup campaign, Spain national team manager Luis de la Fuente said that the team as a collective wants to be a 'family' and they work with that idea in mind, which gives him a 'great deal of confidence' about his team's performances in the tournament.

Ahead of the team's departure to North America for their WC campaign, de la Fuente spoke to Reuters. The 2010 champions and the 2024 European Champions, registered round-of-16 exits in the past two editions of the tournament. They are placed in Group H with Cape Verde, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia and will start against Cape Verde at Atlanta from June 15 onwards.

Speaking to Reuters, said that his side's recent fine performances are not due to tactical brilliance, motivational talks, or individual performances but rather a simple and warm idea of the team being one as a 'family'.

'Some time ago, we began to emphasise a word that gave us a great deal of security, confidence and strength - family'. We want the Spanish national team to be a family,' he said as quoted by Reuters.

'From the first player to the last, we all work with that idea in mind, and that makes me feel very calm, very serene. It makes me work knowing that I am in good company, and that gives me a great deal of confidence,' he added.

When de la Fuente was appointed as a manager three years back, he faced mockery from the media, seen as lacking the glamour coming with a football manager job but as a low-key federation man, orderly and diligent.

He answered his critics in style, with UEFA Nations League glory in 2023 and the European Championship in 2024. Spain arrives at the World Cup having captured two major international titles and have a better idea of their team identity and game. However, the manager is not interested in replying back to his critics.

'Time proves you right and proves you wrong. Time puts everyone in their place. I knew what I had to do,' he said.

'I am not vindictive and I believe everyone should reflect on what they may have said or done and weigh it up. I have not changed a bit since then. I'm still the same person, believe me. My life has not changed.'

'I am still doing exactly the same things I was doing three and a half years ago. I go to the same places, I go to the same restaurants, the same cafes, I walk down the street calmly doing exactly the same things,' he signed off.

Spain squad for 2026 World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Club), David Raya (Arsenal), Joan Garcia (Barcelona)

Defenders: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Aymeric Laporte (Athletic Club), Alex Grimaldo (Bayer Leverkusen), Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Eric Garcia (Barcelona), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid), Marc Pubill (Atletico Madrid)

Midfielders: Gavi (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Martin Zubimendi (Arsenal), Fabian Ruiz (PSG), Alex Baena (Atletico Madrid), Mikel Merino (Arsenal)

Forwards: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Nico Williams (Athletic Club), Dani Olmo (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Yeremy Pino (Crystal Palace), Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo), Victor Munoz (Osasuna). (ANI)