Teacher vs Student: Scaloni, De la Fuente’s emotional reunion before 2026 World Cup final

The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will produce a rare football reunion as Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni faces his former teacher, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, for the biggest prize in world football.

The two managers shared an emotional embrace ahead of Sunday’s final after meeting at the FIFA Fanatics event in New York, where they reunited nearly a decade after their first encounter.

Scaloni, who was once a student of De la Fuente during his UEFA Pro coaching licence course in Spain, walked across the stage after the event and hugged his former instructor in a moment that received applause from thousands of fans.

The relationship between both coaches began in 2017, shortly after Scaloni retired from professional football and enrolled at the Spanish Football Federation’s coaching academy in Las Rozas.

De la Fuente, who was one of the instructors on the course, would later become Spain’s national team coach, while Scaloni guided Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar in 2022.

However, friendship will be put aside on Sunday when both men lead their teams into battle for football’s ultimate prize.

Speaking ahead of the final, Scaloni acknowledged the special bond between them but insisted the relationship would not affect the intensity of the contest.

“He knows me personally, but he doesn’t know what I’m thinking about football,” Scaloni said.

The Argentina coach added that both teams share similar football philosophies, with an emphasis on possession and attacking football.

“He knows how we play and we know how they play. Each team tries to attack, enjoy possession and become stronger with the ball. I hope Sunday’s game will be a good show and people will be entertained,” he said.

De la Fuente also spoke highly of his former student, describing their meeting in the final as a proud moment.

“We are great competitors, and we are happy to face each other,” the Spain coach said.

“We have huge admiration for each other. Lionel Scaloni and I share many concepts, values and principles that drive our teams.”

Scaloni dismissed suggestions that Argentina’s previous World Cup final experience would give them an advantage, insisting Spain’s recent achievements under De la Fuente make them equally prepared.

Spain won the European Championship in 2024 and the Nations League under De la Fuente, while Scaloni led Argentina to their third World Cup title four years ago.

Sunday’s final will therefore be more than a battle for football’s biggest trophy; it will also see a former student and his mentor compete on the biggest stage of the sport.