Spain is one of eight national teams to have been crownedworld champions and has participated in a total of 16 out of 22FIFA World Cups, winning the2010 edition, and qualifying consistently since 1978. Spain has participated in a total of 12 out of 17UEFA European Championships, and are thereigning European champions, having won a record fourth title in2024. As a result, they are one of the most successful national teams in football history. After their victory in the2023 UEFA Nations League they became the second national team, followingFrance, to win three major titles (World Cup, European Championship andNations League). Spain is also one of only two nations alongsideGermany, to have won both the men's andwomen's World Cups,[4] and only the second nation to hold the first position in both men and women's rankings simultaneously since September 2025, after Germany.[5]
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.[6][7][8][9][10] During this period, Spain became the first national team to winthree consecutive major titles, including two back-to-back European Championships in2008 and2012, while becoming the first European team to win a World Cup held outside of Europe.[11] Also in this period from 2008 to 2013, Spain won theFIFA Team of the Year, the second-most of any nations, behind onlyBrazil.[12] One year before, from the start of 2007 to the2009 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.[13]
Spain has been a member ofFIFA 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 the1920 Summer Olympics held in Belgium in that same year. Spain made their debut at the tournament on 28 August 1920 againstDenmark, 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.[14] Spain qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 1934, defeatingBrazil in their first game and losing in a replay to the hosts and eventual championsItaly in the quarter-finals.[15] TheSpanish Civil War andWorld War II prevented Spain from playing any competitive matches between the 1934 World Cup and the1950 edition'squalifiers. At the 1950 finals in Brazil, they topped their group to progress to the final round, where they finished in fourth place.[16] Until 2010, this had been Spain's highest finish at the FIFA World Cup.[17]
Spain won its first major international title when it hosted the1964 European Nations' Cup, defeating theSoviet Union 2–1 in the final at theSantiago Bernabéu Stadium.[18] The victory would stand as Spain's lone major title for 44 years. Spain was selected as host of the1982 FIFA World Cup, reaching the second round andfour years later they reached the quarter-finals before apenalty shootout defeat toBelgium.[19] AtUEFA Euro 1984, they lost thefinal againstFrance.[20] Spain reached the quarter-finals of the1994 World Cup. The match became controversial when Italian defenderMauro Tassotti struckLuis 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 refereeSándor Puhl. Had the official awarded a foul, Spain would have received a penalty kick.[21] In the2002 World Cup, Spain won its three group play matches, then defeated theRepublic of Ireland on penalties in the second round. They faced co-hostsSouth Korea in the quarter-finals, losing in a shootout after having two goals controversially called back for alleged infractions during regular and extra time.[22]
Spain celebrates winning the2010 World Cup with a parade as they pass in front of theAir Force headquarters inMadrid.
AtUEFA Euro 2008, Spain won all their games inGroup D. Italy were the opponents in the quarter-finals, where Spain won 4–2 on penalties. They then metRussia again in the semi-finals, beating them 3–0.[23] In thefinal, Spain defeatedGermany 1–0, withFernando Torres scoring the only goal of the game,[24] 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 the2009 FIFA Confederations Cup breaking their 35-match unbeaten streak that began in November 2006 after a loss to theUnited States.[25] In the2010 World Cup, Spain advanced to thefinal for the first time ever by defeating Germany 1–0. In the decisive match against theNetherlands,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 forUEFA Euro 2012, finishing on top ofGroup I with a perfect 100% record.[6] They became the first team to retain the European Championship, winning thefinal 4–0 against Italy, while Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot for top scorer of the tournament.[26]
Spain advanced to thefinal of the2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, losing to hosts Brazil,[27] and the following year they were eliminated from the group stage of the2014 World Cup.[28] AtEuro 2016 and the2018 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.[29][30] In theUEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 after theCOVID-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).[31] The same year they managed to reach theNations League final, losing against France.[32] In the2022 World Cup, Spain finished second in their group before losing toMorocco 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw, their third consecutive elimination from a major tournament in penalty shootouts.[33]
Spain finished first in their group inUEFA Euro 2024 without conceding a goal, and went on to defeatGeorgia in theround of 16 by a score of 4–1.[34][35] They eventually eliminated hosts Germany in thequarter-finals with a 2–1 win and defeated France in thesemi-finals with the same result, qualifying for theirfifth European Championship final,[36] where they won their record-breaking fourth European title by defeatingEngland 2–1.[37][38] Spain became the first team to win all seven matches in a single European Championship tournament,[39] while setting a new record of 15 goals scored in a single European Championship.[40]
Spain continued its success during the2024–25 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".[41] With their victory over France, Spain extended their undefeated record to 23 matches.[42]
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.[43] More modernly, the team is called "La roja",'the Red (squad)'.[1]
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.[44]
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",[45] a "short passing style in which the ball is worked carefully through various channels",[46] and a "nonsensical phrase that has come to mean short passing, patience and possession above all else".[47] The style involves roaming movement and positional interchange amongstmidfielders, moving the ball in intricate patterns,[48] and sharp, one or two-touch passing.[49] 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.[50] Commentators have contrasted tiki-taka with "Route One physicality"[45] and with the higher-tempo passing ofBarcelona andArsène Wenger's 2007–08Arsenal side, which employed Cesc Fàbregas as the only channel between defence and attack.[46] Tiki-taka is associated with flair, creativity, and touch,[51] but can also be taken to a "slow, directionless extreme" that sacrifices effectiveness for aesthetics.[47]
Tiki-taka was successfully employed by Spain to winEuro 2008, the2010 World Cup andEuro 2012. The 2008–12 teams are regarded as being among the greatest of international teams in football history.[8][6][7]
— Phil McNulty of theBBC on the midfield players at the heart of Spain's tiki-taka passing style of play.[6]
Sid Lowe identifiesLuis 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.[47] 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-winning1920 Antwerp Olympic team the nicknameLa 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.[52]
Analyzing Spain'ssemi-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".[50]
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 includingAdidas (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 thecountry'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.
Spain has rivalries with five countries, four of them being Europe's "Big Five" nations and the other with itsIberian neighbor Portugal.[citation needed]
Theirrivalry withItaly, sometimes referred to as the "Mediterranean derby", has been contested since 1920.[62][63] Their first meeting was at theOlympic Games, in a 2–0 triumph for Spain on 2 September 1920 inAntwerp.[64] 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.[65][66] Since the quarter-final match between the two countries atEuro 2008, the rivalry has renewed, with its most notable match between the two sides being in theUEFA Euro 2012 final, which Spain won 4–0.[67][68][69] 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.
Theirrivalry withPortugal, also known as the "Iberian derby", has been contested since 1921.[70] 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.[71] Spain eventually lost to Portugal in the2025 Nations League final on penalties.
Theirrivalry withFrance, sometimes referred to as the "Pyrenean derby", has been contested since 1922.[72] Their first meeting was a 4–0 triumph for Spain on 30 April 1922 inBordeaux,[73] though their first competitive meeting came in theUEFA Euro 1984 final, which France won to receive their first international trophy.[74][75][76] 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.[77]
Their rivalry withEngland 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.[78] The first of their nine competitive fixtures came at the1950 World Cup inMaracanã, where Spain won 1–0 with aTelmo Zarra legendary goal.[79] In their another World Cup meeting in1982, Spain received England as hosts at theBernabéu, in a second round stage match ended 0–0.[80] One year before, in 1981, Spain achieved its first victory atWembley.[81] At the European Championship, they have met three times. In1980, England won 2–1, sixteen years beforea quarter-final atWembley Stadium ended 0–0 after extra time with England advancing on penalties.[82] At theUEFA 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.[83][84][38] The head-to-head result for Spain is 11 wins, 4 draws and 13 losses, after 28 games.[85][78]
Their rivalry withGermany has been contested since 1935. Their first meeting was a 2–1 victory for Spain on 12 May 1935 inCologne.[86] Spain met a German side for the first time in a competitive fixture in 1966, as part of the1966 World Cup, where West Germany (competing separately from East Germany at the time) came back to win 2–1.[87] Since theGerman reunification in 1990, Spain has remained undefeated in competitive fixtures against Germany, winning 1–0 theUEFA Euro 2008 final,[88][89] 0–1 the2010 World Cup semi-final, 6–0 in the2020–21 Nations League,[90] and most recently in theEuro 2024 quarter-finals, 2–1 against the hosts after extra-time.[91] The head-to-head result is a tie with 9 wins each and 9 draws, after 27 games.
Their rivalry withNetherlands, is one that has developed in recent years. Their first significant meeting came in the “final” of the1920 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 the2010 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 the2014 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.
The following 26 players were called up for the2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches againstGeorgia andTurkey on 15 and 18 November 2025, respectively.[92] On November 11,Lamine Yamal was withdrawn from the squad after undergoing an invasive radiofrequency procedure to treat a groin injury and was replaced byJorge de Frutos.[93] Caps and goals updated as of 18 November 2025, after the match againstTurkey.
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
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.[94]Raúl González is the second highest goalscorer, scoring 44 goals in 102 appearances between 1996 and 2006.[94]
Although often entering tournaments as one of the favorites, Spain have sometimes been perceived as underachieving at the World Cup.[106][107] Spain's first World Cup was in1934; 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.[108] 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.[109] Spain managed a draw against Uruguay but defeats from Brazil and Sweden meant that Spain would end up in fourth place.[109] At the2010 FIFA World Cup held in South Africa, Spain became world champions for the first time after defeating theNetherlands 1–0 in the final, becoming the eighth country to win the World Cup.[110][111]
Spain have won the most UEFA European Championships, with four titles.[112]La Roja are also the only nation to date to have won consecutive championships. They have hosted the tournament once, in1964 (one city was used to host games atEuro 2020) and have appeared in a total of twelve tournaments.
The team won their first international trophy on home soil in 1964, defeating theSoviet Union 2–1.[113][114] Spain would reach the final twenty years later in1984, where they would lose the final toFrance. Spain would not reach the final again until2008, where they would defeat Germany 1–0. Four years later, Spain earned back-to-back titles, comprehensively defeatingItaly 4–0 in thefinal in Kyiv.
It would takeLa Roja twelve years to reach another European final, doing so in2024 againstEngland, 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.[115]
Since the inauguralUEFA Nations League,La Roja have remained in League A and have reached theUEFA Nations League Finals on three occasions, only failing to do so in the inaugural season. At the2021 finals, Spain won their semi-final after defeating Italy 2–1 but lost to France in the final.[116][117] In the following campaign,La Roja would again reach the final thanks to another win against Italy.[118] Spain would then beatCroatia on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[118] Spain reached a record third consecutive final at the2025 edition by defeating theNetherlands in the quarter-finals, andFrance in the semi-finals 5–4. In the first everIberian final, Spain facedPortugal 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.
After winning a record fourth European Championship in 2024, Spain qualified to their first ever CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, where they are scheduled to faceArgentina, the champions of the2024 Copa América.
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,[119] after losing 2–0 to the United States in the semi-finals.[120] At the next edition, Spain qualified as both World and European champions.[121]La Roja reached the final in Brazil, but lost 3–0 to the hosts.[122]
Spain made their debut at the1920 Summer Olympics, where they played their first ever international match, a 1–0 victory overDenmark. At the conclusion of the tournament, Spain won their first silver medal.
^McNulty, Phil (1 July 2012)."Spain 4–0 Italy".BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation.Archived from the original on 26 August 2012. Retrieved26 August 2012.
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