Spain national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Spain

Nickname	La Furia Roja (The Red Fury)
Association	Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
Confederation	UEFA (Europe)
Head coach	Luis de la Fuente
Captain	Rodri
Most caps	Sergio Ramos (180)
Top scorer	David Villa (59)
Home stadium	Various
FIFA code	ESP
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	9 (7 February 2019)
Highest	1
Lowest	25 (March 1998)
First international
Spain 1–0 Denmark  (Forest, Belgium; 28 August 1920)
Biggest win
Spain 13–0 Bulgaria  (Madrid, Spain; 21 May 1933)
Biggest defeat
Italy 7–1 Spain  (Amsterdam, Netherlands; 4 June 1928)  England 7–1 Spain  (London, England; 9 December 1931)
World Cup
Appearances	17 (first in 1934)
Best result	Champions (2010, 2026)
European Championship
Appearances	12 (first in 1964)
Best result	Champions (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
Nations League Finals
Appearances	3 (first in 2021)
Best result	Champions (2023)
Confederations Cup
Appearances	2 (first in 2009)
Best result	Runners-up (2013)
Medal record Men's football FIFA World Cup 2010 South Africa Team 2026 North America Team FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 Brazil Team Bronze 2009 South Africa Team Olympic Games 1920 Antwerp Team European Championship 1964 Spain Team 2008 Austria–Switzerland Team 2012 Poland–Ukraine Team 2024 Germany Team 1984 France Team UEFA Nations League 2023 Netherlands Team 2021 Italy Team 2025 Germany Team

The Spain national football team represents Spain in men's international football games. They are managed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, which is the main organization for football in Spain.

Spain is currently the World and European champion! They won the latest FIFA World Cup in 2026 and the UEFA European Championship in 2024. Spain has won the FIFA World Cup twice (in 2010 and 2026) and the UEFA Nations League in 2023. They have also won a record four European Championship titles. Spain is one of only two national teams, along with France, to have won the three biggest titles: the World Cup, the European Championship, and the Nations League.

Many experts believe Spain's team from 2008 to 2012 was one of the best in football history. During this time, Spain was the first national team to win three major titles in a row. This included the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships in 2008 and 2012. Spain has won the FIFA Team of the Year award seven times. They also hold the record for the longest unbeaten streak in men's international football, playing 38 matches without a loss between 2024 and 2026. After their 2026 World Cup win, Spain became the first country to hold both the men's and women's World Cup titles at the same time.

The Exciting History of Spain's Football Team

The Spanish national football team at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp.

Spain joined FIFA in 1904. The first Spanish national football team was formed in 1920. Their goal was to represent Spain at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Belgium. Spain played their first game on August 28, 1920, against Denmark. They won 1–0 and earned a silver medal at the Olympics.

Spain first played in the FIFA World Cup in 1934. They beat Brazil in their first game. They then lost to the host team, Italy, in the quarter-finals. Due to difficult times, Spain could not play many competitive matches between 1934 and 1950. In the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, they finished fourth, which was their best result until 2010.

Spain won its first major international trophy in 1964. They hosted the 1964 European Nations' Cup and beat the Soviet Union 2–1 in the final. This was their only major title for 44 years. Spain hosted the 1982 FIFA World Cup and reached the second round. Four years later, they made it to the quarter-finals but lost in a penalty shootout to Belgium. At UEFA Euro 1984, they lost the final to France.

Fans in Salamanca celebrating Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup victory.

In the 1994 World Cup, Spain reached the quarter-finals. There was a tough challenge in that match, but the referee did not call a foul. In the 2002 World Cup, Spain won all their group matches. They beat the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the next round. In the quarter-finals, they lost to co-hosts South Korea in a shootout after some controversial decisions.

Spain celebrating their 2010 World Cup win with a parade in Madrid.

At UEFA Euro 2008, Spain won all their group games. They beat Italy 4–2 on penalties in the quarter-finals. Then, they defeated Russia 3–0 in the semi-finals. In the final, Spain beat Germany 1–0, with Fernando Torres scoring the winning goal. This was their first major title since 1964. Xavi was named the best player of the tournament. The next year, they finished third at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In the 2010 World Cup, Spain reached the final for the first time. They beat Germany 1–0 in the semi-finals. In the final against the Netherlands, Andrés Iniesta scored the only goal in extra time. Spain became the third team to win a World Cup outside their own continent. They were also the first European team to do so. Spain then qualified for UEFA Euro 2012 with a perfect record. They became the first team to win the European Championship twice in a row. They won the final 4–0 against Italy. Fernando Torres was the top scorer.

Spain reached the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup but lost to hosts Brazil. The next year, they were eliminated early from the 2014 World Cup. At Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, they were knocked out in the Round of 16. In UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 due to delays, Spain reached the semi-finals but lost to Italy on penalties. They also reached the Nations League final that year, losing to France. In the 2022 World Cup, Spain lost to Morocco in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16.

Spain had a fantastic run in UEFA Euro 2024. They finished first in their group without letting in any goals. They beat Georgia 4–1 in the Round of 16. They then eliminated hosts Germany 2–1 in the quarter-finals and defeated France 2–1 in the semi-finals. This led them to their fifth European Championship final, where they beat England 2–1. Spain set a new record by winning all seven matches in a single European Championship and scoring 15 goals.

Spain continued its success in the 2024–25 UEFA Nations League. They beat Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals. This brought them to their third overall Nations League final. With their victory over France, Spain extended their unbeaten record to 23 matches.

Spain playing against Belgium in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Los Angeles.

Spain qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by topping their group. They also won their group in the main tournament without conceding a goal. In the Round of 32, Spain defeated Austria 3–0. Their goalkeeper, Unai Simón, set a world record by keeping five clean sheets in a row, not letting in a goal for 519 minutes. This record grew to 609 minutes and six clean sheets after their 1–0 win against Portugal in the Round of 16. Spain's victory against Portugal also matched their previous record of 36 consecutive undefeated matches. Spain reached the semi-finals after a 2–1 win against Belgium. They then achieved a 2–0 victory over France in the semi-finals, securing their second World Cup final in history. In the final, they faced Argentina and won 1–0 with a goal from Ferran Torres in extra time.

Team Identity and Play Style

Team Nicknames

In the past, Spain's team was sometimes called "La furia española" (the Spanish Fury). This name came from a Dutch newspaper, remembering a historical event. Today, the team is known as "La Furia Roja" (The Red Fury), or simply "La Roja" (The Red squad).

Spain's Unique Play Style: Tiki-taka

Spain, winners of UEFA Euro 2008.

Spain's players celebrating their 2010 FIFA World Cup victory.

Spain, winners of UEFA Euro 2012.

Between 2008 and 2012, Spain played a special style of football called 'tiki-taka'. This style focuses on teamwork and understanding how to use space on the field.

Tiki-taka means moving the ball with short passes and lots of player movement. It's about carefully working the ball through different areas of the field. Players often switch positions and make quick, one- or two-touch passes. This style is both defensive and offensive because the team always has the ball. This means they don't need to switch between defending and attacking.

Tiki-taka helped Spain win Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012. These teams are remembered as some of the greatest in football history.

Spain, winners of UEFA Euro 2024.

Spain kept possession of the ball more than their opponents in every match from 2008 to 2024, a record of 136 games. As Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso said, "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."

Team Uniforms and Emblem

Spain's home uniform is usually a red jersey with yellow details, dark blue shorts, and black socks. Their current away uniform is mostly yellow, but it used to be white. Instead of showing the Spanish Football Federation logo, Spain's jersey traditionally features the country's coat of arms on the left side. After winning the 2010 World Cup, a special World Cup winners badge was added to the right side of the jersey, and a golden star was placed above Spain's coat of arms. After winning the 2026 World Cup, a second gold star was added.

Spain's starting lineup before their 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final against France on July 14, 2026.

Home Stadiums

Spain does not have one main national stadium. They play their games in various cities like Madrid (at the Bernabéu and Metropolitano), Seville (at the Pizjuán, Villamarín, and La Cartuja), Valencia (at the Mestalla), and Barcelona (at the Camp Nou). These cities have the largest stadiums and have hosted many national team matches.

Other friendly games and qualifying matches against smaller teams are played in stadiums in other cities.

Watching the Games

Spain's UEFA Nations League, European Qualifiers, and friendly matches are shown on the national TV channel La 1 by TVE.

Major Rivalries

Spain has exciting rivalries with seven countries. Four of these are Europe's "Big Five" football nations. The others are with their neighbor Portugal, the Netherlands, and Morocco.

• Their rivalry with Italy is sometimes called the "Mediterranean derby." It started in 1920 at the Olympic Games. Spain has won more games overall, but competitive matches are evenly split. A memorable game was the UEFA Euro 2012 final, which Spain won 4–0.

• Their rivalry with Portugal is known as the "Iberian derby." It began in 1921. Spain has a better record in this friendly rivalry, with more wins and fewer losses. They also lead in competitive matches. Their last competitive game was a 1–0 win for Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.

• Their rivalry with France is sometimes called the "Pyrenean derby." It started in 1922. Spain has won more games overall. However, France has a slight edge in competitive matches. In the 21st century, Spain has won 10 out of 14 matches, including recent semi-final victories in the 2024 UEFA Euro, 2025 UEFA Nations League, and 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Their rivalry with England began in 1929. Spain won their first game 4–3. They met in the 1950 World Cup, where Spain won 1–0. At the UEFA Euro 2024 final, Spain beat England 2–1 to win their fourth European title.

• Their rivalry with Germany started in 1935. Since Germany reunited in 1990, Spain has not lost to Germany in competitive games. This includes wins in the UEFA Euro 2008 final, the 2010 World Cup semi-final, and the Euro 2024 quarter-finals. Overall, their head-to-head record is tied.

• Their rivalry with Netherlands has grown in recent years. Spain beat the Dutch 3–1 in the 1920 Summer Olympics final. Ninety years later, Spain won their first World Cup by beating the Netherlands 1–0 in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final. Four years later, the Netherlands won 5–1 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup group stage. Spain recently beat the Netherlands in a penalty shootout in the 2025 Nations League.

• Their rivalry with Morocco has also become more important recently. They met in the 2018 FIFA World Cup group stage, drawing 2–2. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Morocco eliminated Spain in a penalty shootout in the Round of 16. Both countries, along with Portugal, will host the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

Recent Matches and Upcoming Games

This section shows Spain's match results from the last 12 months and any scheduled future games.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

2025 Matches

Spain played several qualifying matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 2025, winning most of them. They beat Bulgaria 3–0, Turkey 6–0, Georgia 2–0, and Bulgaria again 4–0. They also defeated Georgia 4–0. Their last match in 2025 was a 2–2 draw against Turkey.

2026 Matches

In 2026, Spain played friendly matches, including a 3–0 win against Serbia, a 0–0 draw with Egypt, and a 1–1 draw with Iraq. They also beat Peru 3–1.

Spain participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They drew 0–0 with Cape Verde, beat Saudi Arabia 4–0, and defeated Uruguay 1–0 in the group stage. In the knockout rounds, they beat Austria 3–0, Portugal 1–0, and Belgium 2–1. They then defeated France 2–0 in the semi-finals. Spain won the World Cup final 1–0 against Argentina.

Spain has upcoming matches in the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League against England, Croatia, and Czech Republic later in 2026.

Coaching Team

Current head coach Luis de la Fuente.

The coaching staff helps the team perform at its best.

Role	Name
Head coach	Luis de la Fuente
Assistant coach	Juanjo González
Goalkeeping coach	Miguel Ángel España
Fitness coach	Carlos Alberto Cruz
Chief analyst	Pablo Peña
Sporting director	Aitor Karanka

Meet the Players

Current Squad

These 26 players were part of the team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
:Player statistics are updated as of July 19, 2026, after the match against Argentina.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	David Raya	(1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 30)	14	0	Arsenal
13	1GK	Joan Garcia	(2001-05-04) 4 May 2001 (age 25)	2	0	Barcelona
23	1GK	Unai Simón	(1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 29)	66	0	Athletic Bilbao
2	2DF	Marc Pubill	(2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 23)	3	0	Atlético Madrid
3	2DF	Álex Grimaldo	(1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 30)	14	0	Atlético Madrid
4	2DF	Eric García	(2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 25)	22	0	Barcelona
5	2DF	Marcos Llorente	(1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 (age 31)	27	0	Atlético Madrid
12	2DF	Pedro Porro	(1999-09-14) 14 September 1999 (age 26)	24	2	Tottenham Hotspur
14	2DF	Aymeric Laporte	(1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 (age 32)	54	2	Athletic Bilbao
22	2DF	Pau Cubarsí	(2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 (age 19)	20	0	Barcelona
24	2DF	Marc Cucurella	(1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 28)	32	1	Real Madrid
6	3MF	Mikel Merino	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 30)	51	12	Arsenal
8	3MF	Fabián Ruiz	(1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 30)	50	7	Paris Saint-Germain
9	3MF	Gavi	(2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 (age 21)	32	5	Barcelona
10	3MF	Dani Olmo	(1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 28)	58	12	Barcelona
11	3MF	Yéremy Pino	(2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 23)	25	4	Crystal Palace
15	3MF	Álex Baena	(2001-07-20) 20 July 2001 (age 25)	24	3	Atlético Madrid
16	3MF	Rodri (Captain)	(1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 30)	70	4	Manchester City
18	3MF	Martín Zubimendi	(1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 27)	27	3	Arsenal
20	3MF	Pedri	(2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 (age 23)	49	6	Barcelona
7	4FW	Ferran Torres	(2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 26)	65	25	Barcelona
17	4FW	Nico Williams	(2002-07-12) 12 July 2002 (age 24)	36	6	Athletic Bilbao
19	4FW	Lamine Yamal	(2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 19)	33	7	Barcelona
21	4FW	Mikel Oyarzabal	(1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 29)	61	30	Real Sociedad
25	4FW	Víctor Muñoz	(2003-07-13) 13 July 2003 (age 23)	2	1	Liverpool
26	4FW	Borja Iglesias	(1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 (age 33)	9	0	Celta Vigo

Player Achievements and Records

Most Appearances for Spain

Sergio Ramos holds the record for the most appearances for Spain with 180 games.

Here are the top ten players who have played the most games for Spain, as of July 19, 2026.

Players in bold are still active with Spain.

• Youngest player to play for Spain: Lamine Yamal (16 years and 57 days)
• Oldest player to play for Spain: Jesús Navas (38 years and 231 days)

Top Goalscorers for Spain

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

Here are the top ten goalscorers for Spain, as of July 19, 2026.

• Youngest goalscorer: Lamine Yamal (16 years and 57 days)
• Oldest goalscorer: Aritz Aduriz (35 years and 274 days)
• Most goals in one match: Chacho (6 goals) against Bulgaria on May 13, 1933.
• First official goal: Patricio Arabolaza against Denmark on August 28, 1920.

Team Captains in Major Tournaments

Many great players have led Spain as captain in big tournaments.

• Ricardo Zamora was captain during the 1934 FIFA World Cup.
• Ferran Olivella led the team during their first European Championship win in 1964 European Nations' Cup.
• Luis Arconada was captain for the 1982 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 1984.
• Andoni Zubizarreta captained the team in three World Cups and one Euro.
• Fernando Hierro led the team in Euro 2000 and the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• Raúl was captain for Euro 2004 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
• Iker Casillas was a long-serving captain, leading the team to victories in Euro 2008, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and Euro 2012.
• Sergio Ramos was captain during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
• Sergio Busquets led the team in Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
• Jordi Alba was captain during the 2023 UEFA Nations League Finals.
• Álvaro Morata led the team in Euro 2024 and the 2025 UEFA Nations League Finals.
• Rodri was captain during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Manager Records

• Most games managed: Vicente del Bosque with 114 matches.

Team Records and Achievements

• Most consecutive wins by a coach from their first game: 13 wins by Vicente del Bosque.
• Most penalty shoot-outs in one World Cup by a team: 2 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
• Highest points in World Cup qualification: 30 out of 30 in 2010.

Spain's Performance in Major Competitions

FIFA World Cup Journeys

Spain has often been a favorite in the World Cup. Their first World Cup was in 1934. They beat Brazil but lost to Italy in the quarter-finals. Before 2010, their best result was fourth place in 1950.

In the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Spain became world champions for the first time. They beat the Netherlands 1–0 in the final. This made them the eighth country to win the World Cup.

Sixteen years later, Spain reached their second World Cup final at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. They faced Argentina. Spain won 1–0, becoming champions for the second time.

Spain's World Cup history
First match	Spain 3–1 Brazil  (May 27, 1934; Genoa, Italy)
Biggest win	Spain 7–0 Costa Rica  (November 23, 2022; Doha, Qatar)
Biggest defeat	Brazil 6–1 Spain  (July 13, 1950; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Best result	Champions (2010, 2026)
Worst result	Group stage (1962, 1966, 1978, 1998, 2014)

UEFA European Championship Success

Spain has won the most UEFA European Championships, with four titles! They are also the only country to win the championship two times in a row. They hosted the tournament once in 1964.

The team won their first European trophy at home in 1964, beating the Soviet Union 2–1. Spain reached the final again in 1984 but lost to France. They didn't reach the final again until 2008, where they beat Germany 1–0. Four years later, Spain won back-to-back titles, defeating Italy 4–0 in the final.

La Roja reached another European final in 2024 against England. They won 2–1, becoming the most successful national team in the competition's history with four titles. They also became the first team to win all seven matches in a single tournament.

Spain's European Championship history
First match	Spain 2–1 Hungary  (June 17, 1964; Madrid, Spain)
Biggest win	Spain 5–0 Slovakia  (June 23, 2021; Seville, Spain)
Biggest defeat	France 2–0 Spain  (June 27, 1984; Paris, France)  West Germany 2–0 Spain  (June 17, 1988; Munich, West Germany)  Italy 2–0 Spain  (June 27, 2016; Saint-Denis, France)
Best result	Champions (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024)
Worst result	Group stage (1980, 1988, 2004)

UEFA Nations League Performance

Since the first UEFA Nations League, La Roja has always been in League A. They have reached the UEFA Nations League Finals three times. In the 2021 finals, Spain beat Italy 2–1 in the semi-final but lost to France in the final.

In the next tournament, Spain reached the final again by beating Italy. They then won the final against Croatia on penalties after a 0–0 draw. Spain reached a record third final in a row at the 2025 edition. They beat the Netherlands in the quarter-finals and France in the semi-finals. In the final, Spain faced Portugal and lost on penalties after a 2–2 draw.

Spain's Nations League history
First match	England 1–2 Spain  (September 8, 2018; London, England)
Biggest win	Spain 6–0 Croatia  (September 11, 2018; Elche, Spain)  Spain 6–0 Germany  (November 17, 2020; Seville, Spain)
Biggest defeat	Spain 2–3 England  (October 15, 2018; Seville, Spain)  Croatia 3–2 Spain  (November 15, 2018; Zagreb, Croatia)  Ukraine 1–0 Spain  (October 13, 2020; Kyiv, Ukraine)  Spain 1–2 France  (October 10, 2021; Milan, Italy)  Spain 1–2 Switzerland  (September 24, 2022; Zaragoza, Spain)
Best result	Champions (2022–23)
Worst result	7th place (2018–19)

FIFA Confederations Cup Appearances

Spain played in the FIFA Confederations Cup twice. Their first time was in 2009 as European champions, where they won a third-place medal. They lost 2–0 to the United States in the semi-finals. In the next tournament, Spain qualified as both World and European champions. La Roja reached the final in Brazil but lost 3–0 to the host team.

Spain's Confederations Cup history
First match	Spain 5–0 New Zealand  (June 14, 2009; Rustenburg, South Africa)
Biggest win	Spain 10–0 Tahiti  (June 20, 2013; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Biggest defeat	Brazil 3–0 Spain  (June 30, 2013; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
Best result	Runners-up (2013)
Worst result	Third place (2009)

Olympic Games History

Spain first played in the 1920 Summer Olympics. This was their very first international match, which they won 1–0 against Denmark. Spain earned a silver medal at the end of that tournament.

Team Honours and Awards

Global Titles

• FIFA World Cup
  • Champions (2): 2010, 2026
• FIFA Confederations Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 2013
  • Third place (1): 2009
• Olympic Games
  • Silver medal (1): 1920

Continental Titles

• UEFA European Championship
  • Champions (4): 1964, 2008, 2012, 2024
  • Runners-up (1): 1984
• UEFA Nations League
  • Champions (1): 2023
  • Runners-up (2): 2021, 2025

Special Awards

• FIFA Team of the Year: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2025
• Laureus World Team of the Year: 2011
• World Soccer Team of the Year: 2008, 2010, 2012, 2024
• Gazzetta Sports World Team of the Year: 2010, 2012
• Prince of Asturias Award for Sports: 2010
• FIFA World Cup Fair Play Trophy: 2006, 2010, 2018
• FIFA Confederations Cup Fair Play Award: 2013

Summary of Titles

Competition				Total
FIFA World Cup	2	0	0	2
Olympic Games	1	1	0	2
FIFA Confederations Cup	0	1	1	2
UEFA European Championship	4	1	0	5
UEFA Nations League	1	2	0	3
Total	7	5	1	13

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de España para niños

• Spain women's national football team
• Spain national under-23 football team (Olympic football team)