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Spain national football team

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

Spain
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)La Roja (The Red One)
La Furia Roja (The Red Fury)[1]
AssociationReal Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachLuis de la Fuente
CaptainÁlvaro Morata
Most capsSergio Ramos (180)
Top scorerDavid Villa (59)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeESP
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 8 Steady (4 April 2024)[2]
Highest1 (July 2008 – June 2009, October 2009 – March 2010, July 2010 – July 2011, October 2011 – July 2014)
Lowest25 (March 1998)
First international
 Spain 1–0 Denmark 
(Antwerp, 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
Appearances16 (first in 1934)
Best resultChampions (2010)
European Championship
Appearances12 (first in 1964)
Best resultChampions (1964, 2008, 2012)
Nations League Finals
Appearances2 (first in 2021)
Best resultChampions (2023)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultRunners-up (2013)
Medal record
Men's football
FIFA World Cup
Gold medal – first place2010 South AfricaTeam
UEFA European Championship
Gold medal – first place1964 SpainTeam
Gold medal – first place2008 Austria–SwitzerlandTeam
Gold medal – first place2012 Poland–UkraineTeam
Silver medal – second place1984 FranceTeam
Bronze medal – third place2020 Europe (s.f.)Team
UEFA Nations League
Gold medal – first place2023 NetherlandsTeam
Silver medal – second place2021 ItalyTeam
FIFA Confederations Cup
Bronze medal – third place2009 South AfricaTeam
Silver medal – second place2013 BrazilTeam
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place1920 AntwerpTeam

Spain is one of eight national teams to have been crowned world champions and have participated in a total of 16 of 22 FIFA World Cups, also qualifying consistently since 1978. Spain have won three continental titles during their appearances of 11 out of 16 UEFA European Championships. It also won the 2022–23 edition of the UEFA Nations League, becoming the second national team to win three major titles (World Cup, Euro and Nations League) after France.

Spain's achievements from 2008 to 2012 have led many experts and commentators to consider this era's Spain squads one of the best ever teams in football history.[4][5][6][7][8] During this period, Spain became the only 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 in 2010.[9] From 2008 to 2013, Spain won the FIFA Team of the Year, the second-most of any nation, behind only Brazil.[10] 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 sport record at the time. Spain is one of only two nations to have won both the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup (the other being Germany).

History

Spain national football team in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp

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.[11] 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.[12] 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 finals round, then finished in fourth place.[13] Until 2010, this had been Spain's highest finish in a FIFA World Cup finals.[14]

Spain won its first major international title when it hosted the 1964 European Nations' Cup held in Spain, defeating the Soviet Union 2–1 in the finals at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[15] 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.[16] Also at UEFA Euro 1984, they lost the final against France.[17] 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 the foul was not noticed nor sanctioned by referee Sándor Puhl. Had the official acknowledged the foul, Spain would have merited a penalty kick.[18] 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.[19]

World Cup champions parade celebrate 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 match, which Spain won 4–2 on penalties. They then met Russia again in the semi-finals, beating them 3–0.[20] In the final, Spain defeated Germany 1–0, with Fernando Torres scoring the only goal of the game.[21] This was Spain's 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.[22] 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. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas won the golden glove for only conceding two goals during the tournament, while David Villa won the bronze ball and silver boot, tied for top scorer of the tournament. Spain qualified top of Group I in qualification for UEFA Euro 2012 with a perfect 100% record.[4] 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.[23]

Spain advanced to the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, losing to hosts Brazil,[24] and the following year they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.[25] At Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, the side reached the last 16 in both tournaments, losing to Italy 2–0 and Russia 3–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw.[26][27] In the UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 after 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).[28] The same year they managed to reach the 2021 UEFA Nations League final, losing against France.[29] In the 2022 World Cup, Spain finished second in their group, then in the round of 16, they lost to Morocco 3–0 on penalties after a 0–0 draw, to be the third consecutive elimination from a major tournament in penalty shootouts.[30]

Spain will host the FIFA World Cup for the second time in 2030. As co-host alongside Morocco and Portugal, they have automatically qualified for the tournament.

Team image

Nicknames

Spain's team is commonly known by fans as "La Furia Roja", meaning the Red Fury in Spanish.[1] recalling the "Sack of Antwerp" – an episode in the military history of Spain.[31] However, there are another unofficial nicknames to refer to the national team of Spain.

The other most common nickname, known by fans, is "Los Toros" (Fighting Bulls), since Spanish Fighting Bull is one of Spain's famous national treasures and often used to define Spanish culture, and also often depicted by Spanish supporters alike.[32] The Spain football team is sometimes referred as the Bulls due to this cultural heritage.[33]

The Spanish team also received other nicknames, mostly "Toreros" or "Matador" (Bullfighters in Spanish), to describe its passionate and romantic style of football playing.[34]

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.[35]

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",[36] a "short passing style in which the ball is worked carefully through various channels",[37] and a "nonsensical phrase that has come to mean short passing, patience and possession above all else".[38] The style involves roaming movement and positional interchange amongst midfielders, moving the ball in intricate patterns,[39] and sharp, one or two-touch passing.[40] 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.[41] Commentators have contrasted tiki-taka with "Route One physicality"[36] 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.[37] Tiki-taka is associated with flair, creativity, and touch,[42] but can also be taken to a "slow, directionless extreme" that sacrifices effectiveness for aesthetics.[38]

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.[6][4][5]

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.[4]

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.[38] 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 Roja ("The Red Fury") and the tiki-taka style of the contemporary Spain's team, which focused on a collective, short-passing, technical and possession-based game.[43]

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".[41]

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).[40]

Kits and crest

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spain national football team kits.

Spain's kit is traditionally a red jersey with yellow trim, dark blue shorts, and black socks, whilst their current away kit is all predominantly white. The colour of the socks altered throughout the 1990s from black to the same blue colour as the shorts, matching either the blue of the shorts or the red of the shirt until the mid-2010s when they returned to their traditional black. 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

Kit supplierPeriodNotes
None1920–1935
/ Deportes Cóndor1935–1966
1967–1981
Umbro1966
/ Adidas1981–1983
1991–present		Current until 2030[44][45]
Le Coq Sportif1984–1990

Home stadium

Spain does not have a designated national stadium. The capital city of Madrid (Bernabéu and Metropolitano), Seville (Pizjuán, La Cartuja and Villamarín), 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.[46]

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,[47] Los Cármenes in Granada,[48] El Molinón in Gijón,[49] and the Rico Pérez in Alicante.[50]

Media coverage

Spain's UEFA European Qualifiers and UEFA Nations League matches, and all friendly games from 2018 until 2022, will be televised nationwide by La 1, flagship television channel of the public broadcaster TVE.[51]

Rivalries

Spain has four main rivalries with other top footballing nations.

  • Their rivalry with Italy, sometimes referred to as the Mediterranean Derby,[52] contested since 1920. 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.[53][54] Since the quarter-finals 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.[55][56]
  • Their rivalry with Portugal, also known as the Iberian Derby, is one of the oldest football rivalries at a national level. It began on 18 December 1921, when Portugal lost 3–1 to Spain at Madrid in their first ever international friendly game. Portugal lost their first matches, with their first draw (2–2) only coming in 1926. Portugal's first win came much later (4–1) in 1947. Both belong to the strongest football nations of the world, and have met a total of 39 times (of which 9 matches were competitive) which resulted in 16 victories for Spain, 17 draws and 6 victories for Portugal.
  • Their rivalry with France, also another major football force, is also one of the oldest at a national level. Spain and France have met a total of 36 times, began with a 4–0 triumph for Spain in a friendly in Bordeaux on 30 April 1922, though their first competitive meeting came in the UEFA Euro 1984 final, which France won to take over its first major international honours.[57][58] Spain has the advantage in head-to-head competition with 16 wins, 13 losses and 7 draws, though France has gotten more international glories than Spain.
  • Their rivalry with Germany, is also one of the oldest at a national level. Germany and Spain have faced each other 26 times, started with a 2–1 friendly victory for Spain on 12 May 1935 in Cologne. However, Spain only met a German side for the first time in any competitive fixture in 1966, as part of the 1966 FIFA World Cup, where West Germany (competing separately form East Germany at the time) came back to win 2–1.[59] However, since the reunification of Germany in 1990, Spain has remained undefeated in competitive fixtures against Germany, including the famous 6–0 rout in the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League A.[60] Total head-to-head result however is slightly favourable for Germany with 9 wins, 9 draws compared to 8 wins by Spain.

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

2023

v  Italy
15 June 2023 2022–23 UEFA Nations League SF Spain  2–1  Italy Enschede, Netherlands
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
  • Pino 3'
  • Joselu 88'
Report
Stadium: De Grolsch Veste
Attendance: 24,558
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
v  Spain
18 June 2023 2022–23 UEFA Nations League F Croatia  0–0 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)		  Spain Rotterdam, Netherlands
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)ReportStadium: De Kuip
Attendance: 41,110
Referee: Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Penalties
Note: Spain won on penalties 5–4
v  Spain
8 September 2023 Euro 2024 Q Georgia  1–7  Spain Tbilisi, Georgia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Attendance: 51,694
Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany)
v  Cyprus
12 September 2023 Euro 2024 Q Spain  6–0  Cyprus Granada, Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
ReportStadium: Nuevo Los Cármenes
Attendance: 17,311
Referee: Simone Sozza (Italia)
v  Scotland
12 October 2023 Euro 2024 Q Spain  2–0  Scotland Seville, Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
ReportStadium: La Cartuja
Attendance: 45,623
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
v  Spain
15 October 2023 Euro 2024 Q Norway  0–1  Spain Oslo, Norway
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)Report
Stadium: Ullevaal Stadion
Attendance: 25,885
Referee: Tobias Stieler (Germany)
v  Spain
16 November 2023 Euro 2024 Q Cyprus  1–3  Spain Limassol, Cyprus
18:00 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Alphamega Stadium
Attendance: 9,667
Referee: Mykola Balakin (Ukraine)
v  Georgia
19 November 2023 Euro 2024 Q Spain  3–1  Georgia Valladolid, Spain
20:45 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: José Zorrilla
Attendance: 24,146
Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania)

2024

v  Colombia
22 March 2024 Friendly Spain  0–1  Colombia London, England
20:30 GMT (UTC±00:00)ReportMuñoz 61'Stadium: London Stadium
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
v  Brazil
26 March 2024 Friendly Spain  3–3  Brazil Madrid, Spain
21:30 CET (UTC+01:00)
Report
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu
Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal)
v  Andorra
5 June 2024 Friendly Spain  v  Andorra Badajoz, Spain
Stadium: Nuevo Vivero
v  Northern Ireland
8 June 2024 Friendly Spain  v  Northern Ireland Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Stadium: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix
v  Croatia
15 June 2024 Euro 2024 Group B Spain  v  Croatia Berlin, Germany
18:00 UTC+2ReportStadium: Olympiastadion
v  Italy
20 June 2024 Euro 2024 Group B Spain  v  Italy Gelsenkirchen, Germany
21:00 UTC+2ReportStadium: Arena AufSchalke
v  Spain
24 June 2024 Euro 2024 Group B Albania  v  Spain Düsseldorf, Germany
21:00 UTC+2ReportStadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena
v  Spain
5 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Serbia  v  Spain Serbia
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD
v  Spain
8 September 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Switzerland  v  Spain Switzerland
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD
v  Denmark
12 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Spain  v  Denmark Spain
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD
v  Serbia
15 October 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Spain  v  Serbia Spain
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD
v  Spain
15 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Denmark  v  Spain Denmark
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD
v   Switzerland
18 November 2024 2024–25 UEFA Nations League Spain  v   Switzerland Spain
20:45 CESTReportStadium: TBD

Coaching staff

RoleName
Head coach Luis de la Fuente
Assistant coach Pablo Amo
Goalkeeping coach Miguel Ángel España
Fitness coach Carlos Cruz
Data analysts Geri Peica
Juanjo González
Psychologist Joaquín Valdés
Video analyst Pablo Peña
Doctor Juan José García Cota
Physiotherapists Lorenzo del Pozo
Raúl Martínez
Miguel Gutiérrez
Juan Carlos Herranz
Fernando Galán del Río
Kit men Joaquín Retamosa
José Damián García
Antonio Guerra
Sporting director Albert Luque
Team manager Nuria Martínez Navas
Delegate Pedro Cortés

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for friendlies against Colombia and Brazil on 22 and 26 March 2024, respectively.[61]

Caps and goals updated as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Brazil.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKDavid Raya (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 28)40 Arsenal
131GKÁlex Remiro (1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 29)10 Real Sociedad
231GKUnai Simón (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 26)390 Athletic Bilbao
22DFMarc Cucurella (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 25)20 Chelsea
32DFÁlex Grimaldo (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 28)20 Bayer Leverkusen
52DFRobin Le Normand (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 27)91 Real Sociedad
142DFAymeric Laporte (1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 (age 29)281 Al Nassr
202DFDani Carvajal (1992-01-11) 11 January 1992 (age 32)430 Real Madrid
222DFJesús Navas (1985-11-21) 21 November 1985 (age 38)515 Sevilla
242DFPedro Porro (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 24)30 Tottenham Hotspur
252DFDaniel Vivian (1999-07-05) 5 July 1999 (age 24)10 Athletic Bilbao
262DFPau Cubarsí (2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 (age 17)20 Barcelona
43MFMartín Zubimendi (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 25)50 Real Sociedad
63MFMikel Merino (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 27)201 Real Sociedad
83MFFabián Ruiz (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 28)221 Paris Saint-Germain
153MFÁlex Baena (2001-07-20) 20 July 2001 (age 22)21 Villarreal
163MFRodri (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 27)493 Manchester City
183MFOihan Sancet (2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24)41 Athletic Bilbao
74FWÁlvaro Morata (captain) (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992 (age 31)7134 Atlético Madrid
94FWGerard Moreno (1992-04-07) 7 April 1992 (age 32)185 Villarreal
104FWDani Olmo (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 25)338 RB Leipzig
114FWNico Williams (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002 (age 21)132 Athletic Bilbao
124FWJoselu (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34)105 Real Madrid
174FWPablo Sarabia (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 (age 31)279 Wolverhampton Wanderers
194FWLamine Yamal (2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 16)62 Barcelona
214FWMikel Oyarzabal (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 27)287 Real Sociedad

Recent call-ups

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

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKKepa Arrizabalaga (1994-10-03) 3 October 1994 (age 29)130 Real Madridv.  Norway, 15 October 2023
DFJosé Gayà (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 28)223 Valenciav.  Colombia, 22 March 2024 INJ
DFPau Torres (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 (age 27)241 Aston Villav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
DFIñigo Martínez (1991-05-17) 17 May 1991 (age 32)211 Barcelonav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
DFEric García (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 23)190 Gironav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
DFDavid García (1994-02-14) 14 February 1994 (age 30)30 Osasunav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
DFFran García (1999-08-14) 14 August 1999 (age 24)20 Real Madridv.  Norway, 15 October 2023
DFAlfonso Pedraza (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 28)10 Villarrealv.  Norway, 15 October 2023
DFAlejandro Balde (2003-10-18) 18 October 2003 (age 20)70 Barcelonav.  Scotland, 12 October 2023 INJ
DFCésar Azpilicueta (1989-08-28) 28 August 1989 (age 34)441 Atlético Madridv.  Cyprus, 12 September 2023
DFJordi Alba RET (1989-03-21) 21 March 1989 (age 35)939 Inter Miami2023 UEFA Nations League Finals
DFNacho (1990-01-18) 18 January 1990 (age 34)241 Real Madrid2023 UEFA Nations League Finals
DFJuan Bernat (1993-03-01) 1 March 1993 (age 31)111 Benfica2023 UEFA Nations League Finals INJ
MFGavi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 (age 19)275 Barcelonav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
MFRodrigo Riquelme (2000-05-02) 2 May 2000 (age 23)20 Atlético Madridv.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
MFAleix García (1997-06-28) 28 June 1997 (age 26)10 Gironav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
MFSergio Canales (1991-02-16) 16 February 1991 (age 33)111 Monterrey2023 UEFA Nations League Finals
FWFerran Torres (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 24)4018 Barcelonav.  Georgia, 19 November 2023
FWAnsu Fati (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 (age 21)102 Brighton & Hove Albionv.  Norway, 15 October 2023
FWBryan Zaragoza (2001-09-09) 9 September 2001 (age 22)10 Bayern Munichv.  Norway, 15 October 2023
FWYeremy Pino (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 21)122 Villarrealv.  Scotland, 12 October 2023 INJ
FWAbel Ruiz (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 (age 24)20 Bragav.  Cyprus, 12 September 2023
FWMarco Asensio (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 28)382 Paris Saint-Germainv.  Georgia, 8 September 2023 INJ
FWRodrigo Moreno (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 (age 33)288 Al-Rayyan2023 UEFA Nations League Finals

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

Previous squads

World Cup
European Championship
UEFA Nations League Finals
Confederations Cup
Olympic Games

Individual records

Player records

Sergio Ramos holds the record for most appearances for the Spain's team with 180.[62] In second place is Iker Casillas with 167, followed by Sergio Busquets with 143.[62]

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.[62] Raúl González is the second highest goalscorer, scoring 44 goals in 102 appearances between 1996 and 2006.[62]

Most capped players

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 6 December 2022.[62]

Players in bold are still active with Spain.
RankPlayerCapsGoalsPeriod
1Sergio Ramos180232005–2021
2Iker Casillas16702000–2016
3Sergio Busquets14322009–2022
4Xavi133132000–2014
5Andrés Iniesta131132006–2018
6Andoni Zubizarreta12601985–1998
7David Silva125352006–2018
8Xabi Alonso114162003–2014
9Cesc Fàbregas110152006–2016
Fernando Torres110382003–2014

Youngest capped player

Oldest capped player

Top goalscorers

David Villa is the top scorer in the history of Spain with 59 goals.

Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for Spain, as of 26 March 2024.[64][65][62]

RankPlayerGoalsCapsAveragePeriod
1David Villa (list)59980.62005–2017
2Raúl (list)441020.431996–2006
3Fernando Torres (list)381100.352003–2014
4David Silva351250.282006–2018
5Álvaro Morata34710.482014–present
6Fernando Hierro29890.331989–2002
7Fernando Morientes27470.571998–2007
8Emilio Butragueño26690.381984–1992
9Alfredo Di Stéfano (list)23310.741957–1961
Sergio Ramos231800.132005–2021

Youngest goalscorer

Oldest goalscorer

Most goals scored in a single match

First goal scored

Captains

List of Spain's captains in majors 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 often been perceived as underachieving at the World Cup.[73][74] Spain's first World Cup was in 1934. At that World Cup, Spain started their campaign by defeating Brazil 3–1 to advance to the quarter-finals, where they lost to hosts Italy in a replay.[75] 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.[76] Spain managed a draw against Uruguay but defeats from Brazil and Sweden meant that Spain would end up in fourth place.[76] 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.[77][78]

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place     Tournament played fully or partially on home soil  

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1930Did not enterDid not enter
1934Quarter-finals5th3111432200111
1938WithdrewWithdrew
1950Fourth place4th63121012211073
1954Did not qualify311164
19584211128
1962Group stage13th310223431074
196610th310245320152
1970Did not qualify6222106
1974522186
1978Group stage10th311122430141
1982Second group stage12th512245Qualified as host
1986Quarter-finals7th5311114640298
1990Round of 1610th4211648611203
1994Quarter-finals8th522110612831274
1998Group stage17th31118410820266
2002Quarter-finals5th53201058620214
2006Round of 169th43019412660255
2010Champions1st760182101000285
2014Group stage23rd3102478620143
2018Round of 1610th41307610910363
202213th4121938611155
2026 To be determined To be determined
2030
2034
Total1 Title16/22673117191087512587261229181

UEFA European Championship

Spain have won the joint most UEFA European Championships, along with Germany (three titles).[79] 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 eleven tournaments, with an upcoming twelfth appearance in 2024.

The team won their first international trophy on home soil in 1964, defeating the Soviet Union 2–1.[80][81] 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.

UEFA European Championship recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1960Withdrew220072
1964Champions1st2200426411165
1968Did not qualify832375
19726321143
19768341119
1980Group stage7th3012246411135
1984Runners-up2nd5131458611248
1988Group stage6th3102356501146
1992Did not qualify73041712
1996Quarter-finals6th41304310820254
20005th4202778701425
2004Group stage10th31112210721215
2008Champions1st651012312912238
2012Champions1st64201218800266
2016Round of 1610th42025410901233
2020Semi-finals3rd624013610820315
2024Qualified8701255
Total3 Titles11/1746211510684213396181933996

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 two occasions. At the 2021 Finals, Spain won their semi-final after defeating Italy 2–1 but lost to France in the final.[82][83] In the following campaign, La Roja would again reach the final thanks to another win against Italy.[84] Spain would then beat Croatia on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[84]

UEFA Nations League record
League phaseFinals
SeasonLGGrpPosPldWDLGFGAP/RRKYearPosPldWD*LGFGASquad
2018–19A42nd4202127 7th 2019Did not qualify
2020–21A41st6321133 2nd 2021Runners-up210133Squad
2022–23A21st632185 1st 2023Champions211021Squad
2024–25A4To be determined 2025To be determined
Total1684433151stTotal1 Title421154

*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

FIFA Confederations Cup

Spain made two appearances at the FIFA Confederations. Their first appearance came in 2009 when they won a third place medal.[85] Spain had lost 2–0 to the United States in the semi-finals.[86] At the next edition, Spain qualified as World champions.[87] La Roja reached the final in Brazil, but lost 3–0 to the hosts.[88]

FIFA Confederations Cup record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
1992UEFA did not participate
1995Did not qualify
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2009Third place3rd5401114
2013Runners-up2nd5311154
2017Did not qualify
TotalRunners-up10712268

Head-to-head record

All-time results

The following table shows Spain's all-time international record, correct as of 14 June 2021.[citation needed]

PlayedWonDrawnLostGFGA
Total7164181661321434643

Honours

Source:[89]

Major titles

Awards

Overview
Event1st place2nd place3rd place4th place
FIFA World Cup1001
Olympic Games1300
FIFA Confederations Cup0110
UEFA European Championship3110
UEFA Nations League1100
Total6621

See also

Notes

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Spain national association football team.
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