Luis de la Fuente Wins Best Coach of the Year Award at 2026 Ballon d’Or

Sign InSportsLuis de la Fuente Wins Best Coach of the Year Award at 2026 Ballon d’OrBy Boniface Mulyungi · October 26, 2026 · 1 min readSponsored AdSpain national team head coach Luis de la Fuente has won the Best Coach of the Year award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony following his side’s triumph at the FIFA World Cup.

De la Fuente guided Spain to their second World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1–0 following extra time in the final played on July 19, 2026, in New York New Jersey. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal in the 106th minute to secure the trophy for La Roja.

Spain enjoyed an impressive campaign, finishing the tournament unbeaten and conceding just one goal across eight matches. Their achievement added to the country’s previous World Cup triumph in 2010.

The World Cup victory further strengthened De la Fuente’s record as Spain coach. He had previously guided the national team to the 2023 UEFA Nations League title and the Euro 2024 championship.

Under his leadership, Spain have combined experienced players with emerging talents, including Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal, to maintain their status among international football’s leading teams.

The 2026 Ballon d’Or Best Coach award recognises De la Fuente’s role in Spain’s historic campaign and adds another major individual honour to his career.

At 65, De la Fuente has also made history as the oldest coach to win the FIFA World Cup, capping a remarkable period of success for Spanish football.

BMBoniface MulyungiReporter, Uzalendo News.