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Alsharq Tribune-M.Essam
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Monday that he will field a strong starting 11 as his team looks to secure direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Spain has won all seven of its qualifying matches, scoring 19 goals and conceding none. The team would need a 7-0 home loss to Turkey, which it beat 6-0 in September, to fail to qualify directly.
Turkey travels to Tuesday's match in Seville already assured of second place in the group and is expected to rest several key players at risk of suspension for the play-offs, which could also see them qualify. Despite expectations of a relaxed atmosphere at the Estadio de la Cartuja, De la Fuente said Spain will take the match seriously.
"We want to keep winning, keep competing, and there are many reasons to do so," he said, insisting he would "field a very competitive, high-level team, showing respect to our opponent."
De la Fuente acknowledged that Spain's success at last summer's European Championship and its dominant qualifying campaign, which also includes Georgia and Bulgaria, makes it one of the favorites for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"Spain is among the favorites," he agreed, saying it was "thanks to the excellent work done in Spanish football, committing to a model and style of play that is improving day by day."
"Training, investment, and knowledge are what it takes to develop that idea," he said.
However, De la Fuente also cautioned against being overly optimistic.
"Being a favorite doesn't get you anywhere. The important thing is to be in contention. True success is having a chance and fighting for it, especially in a World Cup where it's impossible to determine a clear favorite," he pointed out.
