Morientes credits Spain's academy system as La Roja reach 2026 World Cup final

Spain are into the 2026 World Cup final after goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro swept aside France in Tuesday’s semi-final, setting up a showpiece on 19 July against either England or Argentina.

The result extends a remarkable run for La Roja, who have now reached five international finals out of six since 2021, winning Euro 2024 and the Nations League along the way. For former striker Fernando Morientes, the consistency is no accident.

“I think it comes down to the work done in the lower categories,” said Morientes, who scored 27 goals in 47 appearances for Spain across a nine-year international career that included two World Cups. “Not just at the federation, though. I’d also bring in the work done in the academies of LaLiga clubs.”

The 50-year-old, who won the Champions League three times with Real Madrid before a spell at Liverpool, argued that coaching development has been as important as raw talent. “There’s also a real emphasis on developing coaches, and I think the coaches themselves are very important in this process with young players. It’s not just about having talent, you need good coaches, good coaching staff, to unlock the talent that exists in every young Spanish player.”

Morientes acknowledged that rival nations possess comparable pools of ability. “Obviously France, Portugal and Brazil also have a lot of young talent. But in Spain we’ve had this instilled since we were very young. I think the work being done in the lower categories of the Spanish federation — I really value it, and in LaLiga too, because I know how the academies work there. I think it’s delivering performances that weren’t worked on the same way in our generation.”

With the final opponent yet to be decided, Morientes admitted he has a preference — and a curiosity. “Obviously I would like for Spain to win and to have a Spain and England final. I wouldn’t mind a Spanish-Argentina final either. But to measure the strengths between the Premier League and LaLiga would be cool. There’s always a bit of a competition between the two leagues, as two of the best in the world.”

Spain’s victory over France echoes their run to the Euro 2024 title, which they also clinched against England, and draws inevitable comparisons with the ‘tiki-taka’ generation that won the World Cup in 2010 and back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.