Álex Baena's 'medicine' is the national team: De la Fuente

National team is the 'medicine' of Álex Baena: De la Fuente

According to Mundodeportivo.

Why it matters

Álex Baena's inclusion in Spain's roster for the 2026 World Cup shows coach Luis de la Fuente's confidence in his ability, even if he hasn't shown the best form in his first season at Atlético de Madrid. In a competition where every position is full of tight matches, having players that the coach trusts is essential for the team's success.

Key Points

• National team is Álex Baena's 'medicine': De la Fuente.
• Despite doubts from some, Luis de la Fuente has included Álex Baena in Spain's squad for the 2026 World Cup, proof of the coach's firm confidence in the player who is only in his first season at Atlético de Madrid.
• La selección española is the elixir of Baena.

When Luis de la Fuente included Álex Baena in Spain's official roster for the 2026 World Cup, the reaction quickly reverberated: some raised eyebrows, others questioned whether the timing was right. It's no secret that this isn't Baena's brightest campaign at the club level, especially since it's only his first season at Atlético de Madrid. However, the message from the selection is clearer than ever: there is a player the coach has full confidence in for the biggest stage. With the national team, De la Fuente's word carries its own weight. In the face of intense competition at every position, he chose to stick with the familiar pieces for the system he wanted to run—discipline, compact movement, and readiness for any tournament scenario. And from the selection's point of view, Baena seems to be the right fit: an option who may not steal the spotlight at the club but can respond when the flag calls. The context does not detract from the weight of this decision. The 2026 World Cup—held in North America and attended by an enlarged 48 teams in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—will be more competitive than ever. The longer the route, the more minutes that need to be managed, and the more important the depth of the record. In this landscape, it makes sense to bring in players who the coach knows how to perform under pressure and within the structure he has established.

For Baena, this call served as a breath of fresh air. While club stats weren't the investment, the Spanish staff clearly saw the value he brought to the group—from his readiness for the role to be taken on, to his ability to keep up with the pace and demands of the international level. In tournaments like the World Cup, it's not just the headline-grabbers who succeed; often, it's the organization of the entire 23-26 man and the coach's trust in each piece that paves the way to a deep campaign. Naturally there are public discussions whenever such decisions are made—especially if there are other hot names in club football. But the final call rests with the selector, and in this case, De la Fuente showed that familiarity, disposition with the team, and the ability to match the plan rather than outside noise are more important to him. In the end, the national team seemed to be Baena's 'elixir'—a chance to prove himself again on a bigger stage and be useful to Spain's collective cause. And for La Roja, it's this kind of decision—based on trust and the right role—that can make the difference in a marathon tournament where every minute, every decision, and every player counts.

What's next

Baena is expected to be integral to De la Fuente's strategy as Spain prepares for the 2026 World Cup. In the face of tougher competition, his ability to adapt to different situations and his game discipline will be key to building a solid team ready to face the challenge of the North American tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to Álex Baena?

Álex Baena has been included in Spain's official roster for the 2026 World Cup.

Who confirmed the call to Álex Baena?

The call to Álex Baena was confirmed by Luis de la Fuente, the coach of the national team.

Why was Álex Baena included in the team now?

Baena was included because of De la Fuente's confidence in his ability to adapt to the team's system under pressure.

What changes have taken place in the Spanish team?

De la Fuente opted to stick with familiar players for the 2026 World Cup despite intense competition in every position.

What is the importance of the World Cup 2026 for Álex Baena?

For Baena, this call served as a breath of fresh air and recognized his value to the group even though his club statistics were not the basis.

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