Spain national football team

Men's association football team From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Spain national football team (Spanish: Selección Española de Fútbol) has represented Spain in men's international football competition since 1920. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.

NicknameLa Roja (The Red One)[1]
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Quick facts Nickname, Association ...
Spain
Shirt badge/Association crest
NicknameLa Roja (The Red One)[1]
AssociationReal Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachLuis de la Fuente
CaptainRodri
Most capsSergio Ramos (180)
Top scorerDavid Villa (59)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeESP
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 2 Steady (11 June 2026)[2]
Highest1 (July 2008 – June 2009, October 2009 – March 2010, July 2010 – July 2011, October 2011 – July 2014, September 2025 – April 2026)
Lowest25 (March 1998)
First international
 Spain 1–0 Denmark 
(Forest, Belgium; 28 August 1920)
Biggest win
 Spain 13–0 Bulgaria 
(Madrid, Spain; 22 August 1933)
Biggest defeat
 Italy 7–1 Spain 
(Amsterdam, Netherlands; 4 June 1928)
 England 7–1 Spain 
(London, England; 9 December 1931)
World Cup
Appearances17 (first in 1934)
Best resultChampions (2010)
European Championship
Appearances12 (first in 1964)
Best resultChampions (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
Nations League Finals
Appearances3 (first in 2021)
Best resultChampions (2023)
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Appearances1 (first in 2026)
Best resultDebut (2026)
Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultRunners-up (2013)
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Spain is one of eight national teams to have been crowned world champions and has participated in a total of 16 out of 22 FIFA World Cups. They won the 2010 edition, and have qualified consistently since 1978. Spain has participated in a total of 12 out of 17 UEFA European Championships, and are the reigning European champions, having won a record fourth title in 2024. As a result, they are one of the most successful national teams in football history. After their victory in the 2023 UEFA Nations League, they became the second national team, following France, to win three major titles (World Cup, European Championship and Nations League). Spain is also one of only two nations alongside Germany, to have won both the men's and women's World Cups,[3] and only the second nation to hold the first position in both men and women's rankings simultaneously from September 2025 to April 2026, after Germany.[4]

Having won one World Cup, one Nations League, and three European Championship titles since 2008, Spain is the most successful European national team of the 21st century. The team's achievements from 2008 to 2012 have led many experts and commentators to consider this era's squads one of the best ever teams in football history.[5][6][7][8][9] During this period, Spain became the first national team to win three consecutive major titles, including two back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, while becoming the first European team to win a World Cup held outside of Europe.[10] Also in this period from 2008 to 2013, Spain won the FIFA Team of the Year, the second-most of any nations, behind only Brazil.[11] One year before, from the start of 2007 to the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, Spain achieved 35 consecutive undefeated matches, a feat which they shared with Brazil, and a record for the sport at the time.[12]

History

Spain national football team in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp
Spanish people celebrating the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Salamanca.

Spain has been a member of FIFA since its founding in 1904, even though the Spanish Football Federation was first established in 1909. The first Spain national football team was constituted in 1920, with the main objective of finding a team that would represent Spain at the 1920 Summer Olympics held in Belgium in that same year. Spain made their debut at the tournament on 28 August 1920 against Denmark, silver medalists at the last two Olympic tournaments. Spain managed to win that match by a scoreline of 1–0, eventually finishing with the silver medal.[13] Spain qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 1934, defeating Brazil in their first game and losing in a replay to the hosts and eventual champions Italy in the quarter-finals.[14] The Spanish Civil War and World War II prevented Spain from playing any competitive matches between the 1934 World Cup and the 1950 edition's qualifiers. At the 1950 finals in Brazil, they topped their group to progress to the final round, where they finished in fourth place.[15] Until 2010, this had been Spain's highest finish at the FIFA World Cup.[16]

Spain won its first major international title when it hosted the 1964 European Nations' Cup, defeating the Soviet Union 2–1 in the final at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[17] The victory would stand as Spain's lone major title for 44 years. Spain was selected as host of the 1982 FIFA World Cup, reaching the second round and four years later they reached the quarter-finals before a penalty shootout defeat to Belgium.[18] At UEFA Euro 1984, they lost the final against France.[19] Spain reached the quarter-finals of the 1994 World Cup. The match became controversial when Italian defender Mauro Tassotti struck Luis Enrique with his elbow inside Spain's penalty area, causing Luis Enrique to bleed profusely from his nose and mouth, but it was not noticed nor sanctioned by referee Sándor Puhl. Had the official awarded a foul, Spain would have received a penalty kick.[20] In the 2002 World Cup, Spain won its three group play matches, then defeated the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the second round. They faced co-hosts South Korea in the quarter-finals, losing in a shootout after having two goals controversially called back for alleged infractions during regular and extra time.[21]

Spain celebrates winning the 2010 World Cup with a parade as they pass in front of the Air Force headquarters in Madrid.

At UEFA Euro 2008, Spain won all their games in Group D. Italy were the opponents in the quarter-finals, where Spain won 4–2 on penalties. They then met Russia again in the semi-finals, beating them 3–0.[22] In the final, Spain defeated Germany 1–0, with Fernando Torres scoring the only goal of the game,[23] as Spain won their first major title since the 1964 European Championship. Xavi was awarded the player of the tournament.[nb 1] The following year the side finished third at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup breaking their 35-match unbeaten streak that began in November 2006 after a loss to the United States.[24] In the 2010 World Cup, Spain advanced to the final for the first time ever by defeating Germany 1–0. In the decisive match against the Netherlands, Andrés Iniesta scored the match's only goal, coming in extra time. Spain became the third team to win a World Cup outside their own continent, and the first European team to do so. They then qualified for UEFA Euro 2012, finishing on top of Group I with a perfect 100% record.[5] They became the first team to retain the European Championship, winning the final 4–0 against Italy, while Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot for top scorer of the tournament.[25]

Spain advanced to the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, losing to hosts Brazil,[26] and the following year they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.[27] At Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, the side were eliminated in the round of 16 in both tournaments, losing to Italy 2–0 and Russia 4–3 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[28][29] In the UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, Spain made a breakthrough, reaching the last four of a major tournament for the first time since 2012, before losing to eventual champions Italy 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. The team finished the tournament with two wins and four draws (including two penalty shootouts).[30] The same year they managed to reach the Nations League final, losing against France.[31] In the 2022 World Cup, Spain finished second in their group before losing to Morocco 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw, their third consecutive elimination from a major tournament in penalty shootouts.[32]

Spain finished first in their group in UEFA Euro 2024 without conceding a goal, and went on to defeat Georgia in the round of 16 by a score of 4–1.[33][34] They eventually eliminated hosts Germany in the quarter-finals with a 2–1 win and defeated France in the semi-finals with the same result, qualifying for their fifth European Championship final,[35] where they won their record-breaking fourth European title by defeating England 2–1.[36][37] Spain became the first team to win all seven matches in a single European Championship tournament,[38] while setting a new record of 15 goals scored in a single European Championship.[39]

Spain continued its success during the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League, where they defeated Netherlands in the quarter-finals and then France in the semi-finals, thus reaching their second consecutive UEFA Nations League final and their third overall appearance, with some commentators drawing similarities to Spain's previous "golden age".[40] With their victory over France, Spain extended their undefeated record to 23 matches.[41]

Team image

Nicknames

Spain's team was known in the past by some fans as "La furia española", 'the Spanish Fury'; this nickname was originally given by a Dutch newspaper, recalling the "Sack of Antwerp" – an episode in the military history of Spain.[42] More modernly, the team is sometimes called "La roja", 'the Red (squad)'.[1]

Style of play

Spain, UEFA Euro 2008 winners
Spain's players celebrate winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Spain, UEFA Euro 2012 winners

Between 2008 and 2012, the team played a style of football dubbed 'tiki-taka', a systems approach to football founded upon the ideal of team unity and a comprehensive understanding in the geometry of space on a football field.[43]

Tiki-taka has been variously described as "a style of play based on making your way to the back of the net through short passing and movement",[44] a "short passing style in which the ball is worked carefully through various channels",[45] and a "nonsensical phrase that has come to mean short passing, patience and possession above all else".[46] The style involves roaming movement and positional interchange amongst midfielders, moving the ball in intricate patterns,[47] and sharp, one or two-touch passing.[48] Tiki-taka is "both defensive and offensive in equal measure" – the team is always in possession, so doesn't need to switch between defending and attacking.[49] Commentators have contrasted tiki-taka with "Route One physicality"[44] and with the higher-tempo passing of Barcelona and Arsène Wenger's 2007–08 Arsenal side, which employed Cesc Fàbregas as the only channel between defence and attack.[45] Tiki-taka is associated with flair, creativity, and touch,[50] but can also be taken to a "slow, directionless extreme" that sacrifices effectiveness for aesthetics.[46]

Tiki-taka was successfully employed by Spain to win Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. The 2008–12 teams are regarded as being among the greatest of international teams in football history.[7][5][6]

They have the Barcelona "carousel" of Xavi and Andrés Iniesta augmented by Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso in midfield.

Phil McNulty of the BBC on the midfield players at the heart of Spain's tiki-taka passing style of play.[5]

Sid Lowe identifies Luis Aragonés' tempering of tiki-taka with pragmatism as a key factor in Spain's success in Euro 2008. Aragonés used tiki-taka to "protect a defense that appeared suspect [...], maintain possession and dominate games" without taking the style to "evangelical extremes". None of Spain's first six goals in the tournament came from tiki-taka: five came from direct breaks and one from a set play.[46] For Lowe, Spain's success in the 2010 World Cup was evidence of the meeting of two traditions in Spanish football: the "powerful, aggressive, direct" style that earned the silver medal-winning 1920 Antwerp Olympic team the nickname La furia española ('The Spanish Fury') and the tiki-taka style of the contemporary Spain's team, which focused on a collective, short-passing, technical and possession-based game.[51]

Analyzing Spain's semi-final victory over Germany at the 2010 World Cup, Raphael Honigstein described Spain's tiki-taka style as "the most difficult version of football possible: an uncompromising passing game, coupled with intense, high pressing". For Honigstein, tiki-taka is "a significant upgrade" of the Netherlands' Total Football because it relies on ball movement rather than players switching position. Tiki-taka allowed Spain to "control both the ball and the opponent".[49]

Spain, UEFA Euro 2024 winners

Spain held possession of ball more than their opponents in all matches from 2008 to 2024, a record of 136 games.[52]

We have the same idea as each other. Keep the ball, create movement around and off the ball, get in the spaces to cause danger.

Xabi Alonso (Spanish midfielder)[48]

Kits and crest

Spain's home kit is traditionally a red jersey with yellow trim, dark blue shorts, and black socks, whilst their current away kit is predominantly yellow, having been white traditionally. The color of the home socks started to alter throughout the 1990s from black to the same blue color as the shorts, then matching either the blue of the shorts or the red of the shirt until the mid-2010s when they returned to their traditional black before continuing the rotation in the 2020s. Spain's kits have been produced by manufacturers including Adidas (from 1981 until 1983), Le Coq Sportif (from 1984 until 1990) and Adidas once again (since 1991). Rather than displaying the logo of the Spanish Football Federation, Spain's jersey traditionally features the country's coat of arms over the left side. After winning the 2010 World Cup, the World Cup winners badge was added to the right side of the jersey and a golden star at the top of Spain's coat of arms.

Kit suppliers

Spain on 4 September 2025
More information Kit supplier, Period ...
Kit supplier Period Notes
None 1920–1935
Spain Deportes Cóndor 1935–1966
England Umbro 1966
Spain Deportes Cóndor 1967–1981
West Germany Adidas 1981–1983
France Le Coq Sportif 1984–1990
Germany Adidas 1991–present Current until 2030[53][54]
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Home stadium

Spain does not have a designated national stadium. The capital city of Madrid (Bernabéu and Metropolitano), Seville (Pizjuán, Villamarín and La Cartuja), Valencia (Mestalla and Orriols) and Barcelona (Camp Nou and Montjuïc), are the four Spanish cities that have hosted more than 15 national team matches, while also being home to the largest stadiums in the country.[55]

Other friendly matches, as well as qualifying fixtures against smaller opponents, are played in provincial stadia. The 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign included matches at the Reino de León in León,[56] Los Cármenes in Granada,[57] El Molinón in Gijón,[58] and the Rico Pérez in Alicante.[59]

Media coverage

Spain's UEFA Nations League, UEFA European Qualifiers and all friendly matches, are televised nationwide by La 1, flagship television channel of the public broadcaster TVE.[60]

Rivalries

Spain has rivalries with five countries, four of them being Europe's "Big Five" nations and the other with its Iberian neighbor Portugal.[citation needed]

  • Their rivalry with Italy, sometimes referred to as the "Mediterranean derby", has been contested since 1920.[61][62] Their first meeting was at the Olympic Games, in a 2–0 triumph for Spain on 2 September 1920 in Antwerp.[63] Although the two nations are not immediate geographical neighbours, their rivalry at international level is enhanced by the strong performances of the representative clubs in UEFA competitions, in which they are among the leading associations and have each enjoyed spells of dominance.[64][65] Since the quarter-final match between the two countries at Euro 2008, the rivalry has renewed, with its most notable match between the two sides being in the UEFA Euro 2012 final, which Spain won 4–0.[66][67][68] Spain has the advantage in the head-to-head, with 14 wins, 16 draws, and 11 losses, after 41 games, but both teams evenly split with 6 wins each when only competitive matches are counted.
  • Their rivalry with Portugal, also known as the "Iberian derby", has been contested since 1921.[69] Their first meeting was a 3–1 triumph for Spain on 18 December 1921 in Madrid, the first ever international game for the Portuguese. Portugal had first draw in 1926, and their first win (4–1) in 1947. In this friendly rivalry, Spain dominates the head-to-head record with 17 victories, 17 draws, and 6 losses, after 40 games. They also lead Portugal in competitive matches, with 5 wins to Portugal's 1 with 5 draws.[70] Spain eventually lost to Portugal in the 2025 Nations League final on penalties.
  • Their rivalry with France, sometimes referred to as the "Pyrenean derby", has been contested since 1922.[71] Their first meeting was a 4–0 triumph for Spain on 30 April 1922 in Bordeaux,[72] though their first competitive meeting came in the UEFA Euro 1984 final, which France won to receive their first international trophy.[73][74][75] Spain has the advantage in the head-to-head, with 17 wins, 7 draws, and 13 losses, after 37 games. France has a slight advantage in competitive matches, with 6 wins compared to 4 of Spain. However, Spain leads in the 21st century, with 8 victories out of 12 matches between both teams.[76]
  • Their rivalry with England has been contested since 1929. Their first meeting was a 4–3 victory for Spain on 15 May 1929 in Madrid, the first ever English defeat outside the British Isles.[77] The first of their nine competitive fixtures came at the 1950 World Cup in Maracanã, where Spain won 1–0 with a Telmo Zarra legendary goal.[78] In their another World Cup meeting in 1982, Spain received England as hosts at the Bernabéu, in a second round stage match ended 0–0.[79] One year before, in 1981, Spain achieved its first victory at Wembley.[80] At the European Championship, they have met three times. In 1980, England won 2–1, sixteen years before a quarter-final at Wembley Stadium ended 0–0 after extra time with England advancing on penalties.[81] At the UEFA Euro 2024 final, with England were aiming to win their first European title, the Spaniards won 2–1 in Berlin, winning a record fourth Euros.[82][83][37] The head-to-head result for Spain is 11 wins, 4 draws and 13 losses, after 28 games.[84][77]
  • Their rivalry with Germany has been contested since 1935. Their first meeting was a 2–1 victory for Spain on 12 May 1935 in Cologne.[85] Spain met a German side for the first time in a competitive fixture in 1966, as part of the 1966 World Cup, where West Germany (competing separately from East Germany at the time) came back to win 2–1.[86] Since the German reunification in 1990, Spain has remained undefeated in competitive fixtures against Germany, winning 1–0 the UEFA Euro 2008 final,[87][88] 0–1 the 2010 World Cup semi-final, 6–0 in the 2020–21 Nations League,[89] and most recently in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, 2–1 against the hosts after extra-time.[90] The head-to-head result is a tie with 9 wins each and 9 draws, after 27 games.
  • Their rivalry with Netherlands, is one that has developed in recent years. Their first significant meeting came in the “final” of the 1920 Summer Olympics, where Spain defeated the Dutch 3–1 to win their first silverware in history. The team would meet again in another final 90 years later, this at the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In a very heated contest, marked by many fouls by the Dutch side, Spain would win their first ever World Cup. Spain and the Netherlands would not see each other again until four years later in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup; in a rematch of the 2010 final, the Dutch handed Spain their biggest defeat in 60 years as they won 5–1. Their next competitive game came in the 2025 edition of the Nations League, where Spain would go on to win the penalty shootout and eliminating the Dutch from the tournament.

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

4 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Bulgaria  0–3  Spain Sofia, Bulgaria
21:45 EEST Report Stadium: Vasil Levski National Stadium
Attendance: 40,582
Referee: Srđan Jovanović (Serbia)
7 September 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Turkey  0–6  Spain Konya, Turkey
21:45 TRT Report
Stadium: Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium
Attendance: 32,059
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
11 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Spain  2–0  Georgia Elche, Spain
20:45 CEST
Report Stadium: Estadio Martínez Valero
Attendance: 28,661
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)
14 October 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Spain  4–0  Bulgaria Valladolid, Spain
20:45 CEST
Report Stadium: José Zorrilla Stadium
Attendance: 24,526
Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
15 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Georgia  0–4  Spain Tbilisi, Georgia
21:00 GET Report
Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Attendance: 44,314
Referee: Benoît Bastien (France)
18 November 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Spain  2–2  Turkey Seville, Spain
20:45 CET
Report
Stadium: Estadio de La Cartuja
Attendance: 30,812
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)

2026

27 March Friendly Spain  3–0  Serbia Villarreal, Spain
21:00 CET
Report Stadium: Estadio de la Ceramica
Attendance: 20,482
Referee: Luis Godinho (Portugal)
31 March Friendly Spain  0–0  Egypt Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain[note 1]
21:00 CEST Report Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Attendance: 35,895
Referee: Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)
4 June Friendly Spain  1–1  Iraq A Coruña, Spain
21:00 CEST
Report
Stadium: Estadio Riazor
Attendance: 30,423
Referee: Florian Badstübner [de] (Germany)
8 June Friendly Peru  1–3  Spain Puebla, Mexico
20:00 CST Vélez 66' Report
Stadium: Estadio Cuauhtémoc
Attendance: 45,845
Referee: Fernando Hernández (Mexico)
26 September 2026–27 UEFA Nations League England  v  Spain London, England
19:45 UTC+1 Report Stadium: Wembley Stadium
29 September 2026–27 UEFA Nations League Spain  v  Croatia Spain
20:45 UTC+2 Report
15 November 2026–27 UEFA Nations League Spain  v  England Spain
20:45 UTC+1 Report

Coaching staff

More information Role, Name ...
Role Name
Head coach Spain Luis de la Fuente
Assistant coach Spain Juanjo González
Goalkeeping coach Spain Miguel Ángel España
Fitness coach Spain Carlos Alberto Cruz
Chief Analyst Spain Pablo Peña
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Players

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[91]
Caps and goals updated as of 8 June 2026, after the match against Peru.

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK David Raya (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 30) 13 0 The Football Association Arsenal
13 1GK Joan Garcia (2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 (age 25) 2 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
23 1GK Unai Simón (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 29) 58 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Athletic Bilbao

2 2DF Marc Pubill (2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 22) 2 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
3 2DF Álex Grimaldo (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 30) 14 0 German Football Association Bayer Leverkusen
4 2DF Eric García (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 25) 21 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
5 2DF Marcos Llorente (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 (age 31) 24 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
12 2DF Pedro Porro (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 26) 18 0 The Football Association Tottenham Hotspur
14 2DF Aymeric Laporte (1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 (age 32) 46 2 Royal Spanish Football Federation Athletic Bilbao
22 2DF Pau Cubarsí (2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 (age 19) 12 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
24 2DF Marc Cucurella (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 27) 24 1 The Football Association Chelsea

6 3MF Mikel Merino (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 29) 43 10 The Football Association Arsenal
8 3MF Fabián Ruiz (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 30) 42 6 French Football Federation Paris Saint-Germain
9 3MF Gavi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 (age 21) 30 5 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
10 3MF Dani Olmo (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 28) 50 12 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
11 3MF Yéremy Pino (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 23) 23 4 The Football Association Crystal Palace
15 3MF Álex Baena (2001-07-20) 20 July 2001 (age 24) 17 2 Royal Spanish Football Federation Atlético Madrid
16 3MF Rodri (captain) (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 29) 62 4 The Football Association Manchester City
18 3MF Martín Zubimendi (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 27) 26 3 The Football Association Arsenal
20 3MF Pedri (2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 (age 23) 41 6 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona

7 4FW Ferran Torres (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 26) 57 24 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
17 4FW Nico Williams (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002 (age 23) 30 6 Royal Spanish Football Federation Athletic Bilbao
19 4FW Lamine Yamal (2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 18) 25 6 Royal Spanish Football Federation Barcelona
21 4FW Mikel Oyarzabal (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 29) 53 25 Royal Spanish Football Federation Real Sociedad
25 4FW Víctor Muñoz (2003-07-13) 13 July 2003 (age 22) 2 1 Royal Spanish Football Federation Osasuna
26 4FW Borja Iglesias (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 33) 8 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Celta Vigo
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Recent call-ups

The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

More information Pos., Player ...
Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Leo Román (2000-07-06) 6 July 2000 (age 25) 1 0 Spain Mallorca v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
GK Álex Remiro (1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 31) 2 0 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026

DF Jon Martín (2006-04-23) 23 April 2006 (age 20) 1 0 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
DF Javi Rodríguez (2003-06-26) 26 June 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Spain Celta Vigo v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
DF Dean Huijsen (2005-04-14) 14 April 2005 (age 21) 7 0 Spain Real Madrid v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
DF Cristhian Mosquera (2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 21) 2 0 England Arsenal v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
DF Dani Vivian (1999-07-05) 5 July 1999 (age 26) 10 0 Spain Athletic Bilbao v.  Turkey, 18 November 2025
DF Robin Le Normand (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 29) 27 1 Spain Atlético Madrid v.  Bulgaria, 14 October 2025
DF Dani Carvajal (1992-01-11) 11 January 1992 (age 34) 52 1 Spain Real Madrid v.  Turkey, 7 September 2025

MF Sergio Gómez (2000-09-04) 4 September 2000 (age 25) 2 0 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
MF Jesús Rodríguez (2005-11-21) 21 November 2005 (age 20) 2 0 Italy Como v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
MF Marc Bernal (2007-05-26) 26 May 2007 (age 19) 1 0 Spain Barcelona v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
MF Javi Guerra (2003-05-13) 13 May 2003 (age 23) 1 0 Spain Valencia v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
MF Beñat Turrientes (2002-01-31) 31 January 2002 (age 24) 1 0 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
MF Carlos Soler (1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 (age 29) 15 4 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
MF Pablo Fornals (1996-02-02) 2 February 1996 (age 30) 9 1 Spain Betis v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
MF Fermín López (2003-05-11) 11 May 2003 (age 23) 7 0 Spain Barcelona v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
MF Aleix García (1997-06-28) 28 June 1997 (age 28) 8 0 Germany Bayer Leverkusen v.  Turkey, 18 November 2025
MF Pablo Barrios (2003-06-15) 15 June 2003 (age 22) 4 0 Spain Atlético Madrid v.  Turkey, 18 November 2025

FW Gonzalo García (2004-03-24) 24 March 2004 (age 22) 1 0 Spain Real Madrid v.  Iraq, 4 June 2026
FW Ander Barrenetxea (2001-12-27) 27 December 2001 (age 24) 1 0 Spain Real Sociedad v.  Egypt, 31 March 2026
FW Samu Aghehowa (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 22) 4 0 Portugal Porto v.  Turkey, 18 November 2025
FW Jorge de Frutos (1997-02-20) 20 February 1997 (age 29) 1 0 Spain Rayo Vallecano v.  Turkey, 18 November 2025
FW Álvaro Morata (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992 (age 33) 87 37 Italy Como v.  Turkey, 7 September 2025

INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
RET Player retired from the national team
SUS Player is serving suspension

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Individual records

Player records

Sergio Ramos holds the record for most appearances for the Spain's team with 180.[92] In second place is Iker Casillas with 167, followed by Sergio Busquets with 143.[92]

David Villa holds the title of Spain's highest goalscorer, scoring 59 goals from 2005 to 2017, during which time he played for Spain on 98 occasions.[92] Raúl González is the second highest goalscorer, scoring 44 goals in 102 appearances between 1996 and 2006.[92]

Most appearances

Sergio Ramos holds the record for the most appearances in the history of Spain with 180 caps.

Below is a list of the ten players with the most caps for Spain, as of 31 December 2025.[92]

Players in bold are still active with Spain.
More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Sergio Ramos 180 23 2005–2021
2 Iker Casillas 167 0 2000–2016
3 Sergio Busquets 141 2 2009–2022
4 Xavi 133 13 2000–2014
5 Andrés Iniesta 130 13 2006–2018
6 Andoni Zubizarreta 126 0 1985–1998
7 David Silva 125 35 2006–2018
8 Xabi Alonso 113 16 2003–2014
9 Cesc Fàbregas 110 15 2006–2016
Fernando Torres 110 38 2003–2014
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Youngest capped player

Oldest capped player

Top goalscorers

David Villa is Spain's all-time leading goalscorer with 59 goals.

Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for Spain, as of 8 June 2026.[95][96][92]

More information Rank, Player ...
Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 David Villa (list) 59 98 0.6 2005–2017
2 Raúl (list) 44 102 0.43 1996–2006
3 Fernando Torres (list) 38 110 0.35 2003–2014
4 Álvaro Morata 37 87 0.43 2014–2025
5 David Silva 35 125 0.28 2006–2018
6 Fernando Hierro 29 89 0.33 1989–2002
7 Fernando Morientes 27 47 0.57 1998–2007
8 Emilio Butragueño 26 69 0.38 1984–1992
9 Mikel Oyarzabal 25 53 0.47 2016–present
10 Ferran Torres 24 57 0.42 2020–present
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Youngest goalscorer

Oldest goalscorer

Most goals scored in a single match

First goal scored

Captains

List of Spain's captains in major tournaments.

Manager records

  • Most manager appearances
Vicente del Bosque: 114

Team records

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

Although often entering tournaments as one of the favorites, Spain have sometimes been perceived as underachieving at the World Cup.[102][103] Spain's first World Cup was in 1934; at that tournament, their campaignstarted by defeating Brazil 3–1 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they lost to hosts Italy in a replay.[104] Before Spain's success in 2010, their best result came in 1950, where they reached the last four. Spain were paired with the hosts Brazil, as well as Uruguay and Sweden.[105] Spain managed a draw against Uruguay but defeats from Brazil and Sweden meant that Spain would end up in fourth place.[105] At the 2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, Spain became world champions for the first time after defeating the Netherlands 1–0 in the final, becoming the eighth country to win the World Cup.[106][107]

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Hosts or co-hosts

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...
FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
Uruguay 1930 Did not enter Did not enter
Italy 1934 Quarter-finals 5th 3 1 1 1 4 3 Squad 2 2 0 0 11 1
France 1938 Rejected by FIFA Rejected by FIFA
Brazil 1950 Fourth place 4th 6 3 1 2 10 12 Squad 2 1 1 0 7 3
Switzerland 1954 Did not qualify 3 1 1 1 6 4
Sweden 1958 4 2 1 1 12 8
Chile 1962 Group stage 12th 3 1 0 2 2 3 Squad 4 3 1 0 7 4
England 1966 10th 3 1 0 2 4 5 Squad 3 2 0 1 5 2
Mexico 1970 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 10 6
West Germany 1974 5 2 2 1 8 6
Argentina 1978 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 4 3 0 1 4 1
Spain 1982 Second group stage 12th 5 1 2 2 4 5 Squad Qualified as hosts
Mexico 1986 Quarter-finals 7th 5 3 1 1 11 4 Squad 6 4 0 2 9 8
Italy 1990 Round of 16 10th 4 2 1 1 6 4 Squad 8 6 1 1 20 3
United States 1994 Quarter-finals 8th 5 2 2 1 10 6 Squad 12 8 3 1 27 4
France 1998 Group stage 17th 3 1 1 1 8 4 Squad 10 8 2 0 26 6
South Korea Japan 2002 Quarter-finals 5th 5 3 2 0 10 5 Squad 8 6 2 0 21 4
Germany 2006 Round of 16 9th 4 3 0 1 9 4 Squad 12 6 6 0 25 5
South Africa 2010 Champions 1st 7 6 0 1 8 2 Squad 10 10 0 0 28 5
Brazil 2014 Group stage 23rd 3 1 0 2 4 7 Squad 8 6 2 0 14 3
Russia 2018 Round of 16 10th 4 1 3 0 7 6 Squad 10 9 1 0 36 3
Qatar 2022 13th 4 1 2 1 9 3 Squad 8 6 1 1 15 5
Canada Mexico United States 2026 in progressTBD000000Squad 6 5 1 0 21 2
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 Qualified as co-hosts Qualified as co-hosts
Saudi Arabia 2034 To be determined To be determined
Total 1 Title 17/23 67 31 17 19 108 75 131 92 27 12 312 83
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UEFA European Championship

Spain have won the most UEFA European Championships, with four titles.[108] La Roja are also the only nation to date to have won consecutive championships. They have hosted the tournament once, in 1964 (one city was used to host games at Euro 2020) and have appeared in a total of twelve tournaments.

The team won their first international trophy on home soil in 1964, defeating the Soviet Union 2–1.[109][110] Spain would reach the final twenty years later in 1984, where they would lose the final to France. Spain would not reach the final again until 2008, where they would defeat Germany 1–0. Four years later, Spain earned back-to-back titles, comprehensively defeating Italy 4–0 in the final in Kyiv.

It would take La Roja twelve years to reach another European final, doing so in 2024 against England, a match they won 2–1 to stand alone as the most successful national team in the competition's history with four titles, while at the same time becoming the first team ever to win all seven matches in a single tournament.[111]

More information UEFA European Championship record, Qualifying record ...
UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad Pld W D L GF GA
France 1960 Withdrew 2 2 0 0 7 2
Spain 1964 Champions 1st 2 2 0 0 4 2 Squad 6 4 1 1 16 5
Italy 1968 Did not qualify 8 3 2 3 7 5
Belgium 1972 6 3 2 1 14 3
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia 1976 8 3 4 1 11 9
Italy 1980 Group stage 7th 3 0 1 2 2 4 Squad 6 4 1 1 13 5
France 1984 Runners-up 2nd 5 1 3 1 4 5 Squad 8 6 1 1 24 8
West Germany 1988 Group stage 6th 3 1 0 2 3 5 Squad 6 5 0 1 14 6
Sweden 1992 Did not qualify 7 3 0 4 17 12
England 1996 Quarter-finals 6th 4 1 3 0 4 3 Squad 10 8 2 0 25 4
Belgium Netherlands 2000 5th 4 2 0 2 7 7 Squad 8 7 0 1 42 5
Portugal 2004 Group stage 10th 3 1 1 1 2 2 Squad 10 7 2 1 21 5
Austria Switzerland 2008 Champions 1st 6 5 1 0 12 3 Squad 12 9 1 2 23 8
Poland Ukraine 2012 Champions 1st 6 4 2 0 12 1 Squad 8 8 0 0 26 6
France 2016 Round of 16 10th 4 2 0 2 5 4 Squad 10 9 0 1 23 3
Europe 2020 Semi-finals 3rd 6 2 4 0 13 6 Squad 10 8 2 0 31 5
Germany 2024 Champions 1st 7 7 0 0 15 4 Squad 8 7 0 1 25 5
United Kingdom Republic of Ireland 2028 To be determined To be determined
Italy Turkey 2032
Total 4 Titles 12/17 53 28 15 10 83 46 133 96 18 19 339 96
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UEFA Nations League

Since the inaugural UEFA Nations League, La Roja have remained in League A and have reached the UEFA Nations League Finals on three occasions, only failing to do so in the inaugural season. At the 2021 finals, Spain won their semi-final after defeating Italy 2–1 but lost to France in the final.[112][113] In the following campaign, La Roja would again reach the final thanks to another win against Italy.[114] Spain would then beat Croatia on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[114] Spain reached a record third consecutive final at the 2025 edition by defeating the Netherlands in the quarter-finals, and France in the semi-finals 5–4. In the first ever Iberian final, Spain faced Portugal in Munich. Despite dominating the game, Spain were unable to break through the Portuguese defense. The score ended 2–2 after 90 minutes and extra time, and Spain lost on penalties.

More information UEFA Nations League record, League phase / Quarter-finals ...
UEFA Nations League record
League phase / Quarter-finals Finals
Season LG Grp Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R IR Year Pld W D* L GF GA Squad OR
2018–19 A 4 2nd4202127Same position7th Portugal 2019 Did not qualify 7th
2020–21 A 4 1st6321133Same position4th Italy 2021 210133 Squad 2nd
2022–23 A 2 1st632185Same position3rd Netherlands 2023 211021 Squad 1st
2024–25 A 4 1st8530189Same position1st Germany 2025 211076 Squad 2nd
Total 24 13 7 4 51 24 1st Total 6 3 2 1 12 10 3/4 1 Title
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*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

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CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions

After winning a record fourth European Championship in 2024, Spain qualified to their first ever CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, where they were scheduled to face Argentina, the champions of the 2024 Copa América. However, the match was later cancelled after both sides could not come to an agreement as to which stadium would host the game.

More information CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record, Year ...
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
France 1985 Did not qualify
Argentina 1993
England 2022
Qatar 2026 Cancelled
Total 0/3 0 0 0 0 0 0
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FIFA Confederations Cup


Spain made two appearances at the FIFA Confederations Cup. Their first appearance came in 2009 as European champions when they won a third place medal,[115] after losing 2–0 to the United States in the semi-finals.[116] At the next edition, Spain qualified as both World and European champions.[117] La Roja reached the final in Brazil, but lost 3–0 to the hosts.[118]

More information FIFA Confederations Cup record, Year ...
FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
Saudi Arabia 1992 UEFA did not participate
Saudi Arabia 1995 Did not qualify
Saudi Arabia 1997
Mexico 1999
South Korea Japan 2001
France 2003
Germany 2005
South Africa 2009 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 11 4 Squad
Brazil 2013 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 15 4 Squad
Russia 2017 Did not qualify
Total Runners-up 2/10 10 7 1 2 26 8
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Olympic Games

Rules (UEFA)
Note

Spain made their debut at the 1920 Summer Olympics, where they played their first ever international match, a 1–0 victory over Denmark. At the conclusion of the tournament, Spain won their first silver medal.

More information Olympic Games record, Year ...
Olympic Games record
Year Host city Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Squad
1900 Only club teams participated
1904
1908 No national representative
1912
1920 Silver medal2nd540195Squad
1924 First round17th100101Squad
1928 Quarter-finals6th311199Squad
1936 Withdrew
19481988See Spain national amateur football team
Since 1992See Spain national under-23 football team
TotalSilver medal3/495131815
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Honours

Global

Continental

Awards

Source:[122]

Summary

More information Competition, Total ...
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See also

Notes

  1. Spanish players named in the team of the tournament were: goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas; defenders Carles Puyol and Carlos Marchena; midfielders Xavi, Cesc Fàbregas, Andrés Iniesta and Marcos Senna; and strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres.
  1. The Egypt v Spain match, originally scheduled to be played at the Lusail Stadium, Lusail, was relocated to Spain due to the 2026 Iran war.
  2. the 1924 and 1928 editions were co-organised by FIFA)[119][121]
  3. Countries from Eastern Europe competed with professional players.[121]

References

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