{
  "id": 8932272,
  "title": "Nations League: Spain’s World Cup glory won’t help against England, says coach",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/nations-league-spains-world-cup-glory-wont-help-against-england-says-8932272",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-21T14:04:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/nations-league-spains-world-cup-glory-wont-help-against-england-says-coach/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Spain's World Cup and European Championship successes will not help them against England in their UEFA Nations League opener at Wembley, according to coach Luis de la Fuente. Speaking to UEFA, de la Fuente emphasized that his team must improve and match England's motivation if they are to begin their campaign with a positive result. He described England as the perfect opposition for Spain to face following their World Cup triumph and stressed that the occasion itself should provide sufficient motivation for his players. De la Fuente described Spain's approach to the fixture as the beginning of a new chapter, despite their recent success. He noted that the players remain hungry for more success and are focused on the here and now. De la Fuente also highlighted the development of a strong mentality within his squad, noting their continuous improvement and progress over the years. He encouraged his team to match the motivation of their opponents and remain focused on their next challenge. Spain's first match against England is scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Wembley Stadium, London, at 7:45pm UK time.",
  "summary": "Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has warned his players that their past successes, including their World Cup and European Championship wins, will not give them an advantage when they face England in their UEFA Nations League opener at Wembley. According to Punch, De la Fuente said that his team must improve on their previous performances and match England's motivation if they are to get a positive result.\n\nDe la Fuente described England as \"the perfect opposition\" for Spain to face after their World Cup triumph, and stressed that the occasion itself should provide sufficient motivation for his players. New Straits Times reported that Spain will travel to England on September 26, followed by a match against Croatia three days later in Seville, to start their Nations League campaign.\n\nDe la Fuente's contract with Spain has been extended until 2032, and he has led the national team to World Cup success, Euro 2024 glory, and the 2023 UEFA Nations League title.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 7,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Republic of Ireland braced for testing Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/republic-of-ireland-braced-for-testing-nations-league",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:36:17.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "DutchNews",
        "title": "Meerdink and Til added to Oranje Nations League squad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/meerdink-and-til-added-to-oranje-nations-league-squad",
        "published": "2026-09-21T07:18:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "How does the Nations League work and who is in each league?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/how-does-the-nations-league-work-and-who-is-in-each-league",
        "published": "2026-09-21T09:16:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "UEFA Nations League: Klopp, Zidane, Xavi, Mancini, four other new coaches to watch",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/uefa-nations-league-klopp-zidane-xavi-mancini-four-other-new-coaches",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:02:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "New-look Netherlands will play with intensity in Nations League, says Xavi",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/new-look-netherlands-will-play-with-intensity-in-nations-league-says",
        "published": "2026-09-21T12:07:47.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Mancini signals decisive break with past as revamped Italy gather for Nations League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/mancini-signals-decisive-break-with-past-as-revamped-italy-gather-for",
        "published": "2026-09-21T15:04:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}