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.
 | |||
| Nickname(s) | La Roja (The Red One)[1] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Association | Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF) | ||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | ||
| Head coach | Luis de la Fuente | ||
| Captain | Álvaro Morata | ||
| Most caps | Sergio Ramos (180) | ||
| Top scorer | David Villa (59) | ||
| Home stadium | Various | ||
| FIFA code | ESP | ||
| |||
| FIFA ranking | |||
| Current | 8 (20 June 2024)[2] | ||
| Highest | 1 (July 2008 – June 2009, October 2009 – March 2010, July 2010 – July 2011, October 2011 – July 2014) | ||
| Lowest | 25 (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 | |||
| Appearances | 16 (first in 1934) | ||
| Best result | Champions (2010) | ||
| European Championship | |||
| Appearances | 12 (first in 1964) | ||
| Best result | Champions (1964, 2008, 2012) | ||
| Nations League Finals | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2021) | ||
| Best result | Champions (2023) | ||
| FIFA Confederations Cup | |||
| Appearances | 2 (first in 2009) | ||
| Best result | Runners-up (2013) | ||
Medal record | |||
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, qualifying consistently since 1978. Spain have won three UEFA European Championships and have appeared in 11 of 16 Euro tournaments. 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).
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, defeating the Soviet Union 2–1 in the final 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]
AtUEFA 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. They then qualified for UEFA Euro 2012, finishing on top of Group I 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]AtEuro 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.
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.[31] 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.[32]
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",[33] a "short passing style in which the ball is worked carefully through various channels",[34] and a "nonsensical phrase that has come to mean short passing, patience and possession above all else".[35] The style involves roaming movement and positional interchange amongst midfielders, moving the ball in intricate patterns,[36] and sharp, one or two-touch passing.[37] 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.[38] Commentators have contrasted tiki-taka with "Route One physicality"[33] 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.[34] Tiki-taka is associated with flair, creativity, and touch,[39] but can also be taken to a "slow, directionless extreme" that sacrifices effectiveness for aesthetics.[35]
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.
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.[35] 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.[40]
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".[38]
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).[37]
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 supplier | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| None | 1920–1935 | |
 / Deportes Cóndor
|
1935–1966 1967–1981 |
|
| Umbro
|
1966 | |
 / Adidas
|
1981–1983 1991–present |
Current until 2030[41][42] |
 Le Coq Sportif
|
1984–1990 |
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.[43]
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 LeóninLeón,[44] Los CármenesinGranada,[45] El MolinóninGijón,[46] and the Rico PérezinAlicante.[47]
Spain's UEFA European Qualifiers and UEFA Nations League matches, are televised nationwide by La 1, flagship television channel of the public broadcaster TVE.[48]
Spain has four main rivalries with other top footballing nations.
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
v
Spain
| 8 September Euro 2024 Q | Georgia | 1–7 | Spain | Tbilisi, Georgia |
| 18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
|
Report |
 28' (o.g.) 38' 68' 74' |
Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena Attendance: 51,694 Referee: Daniel Siebert (Germany) |
v
Cyprus
| 12 September Euro 2024 Q | Spain | 6–0 | Cyprus | Granada, Spain |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
33' 70' 73', 83' 77' |
Report | Stadium: Nuevo Los Cármenes Attendance: 17,311 Referee: Simone Sozza (Italia) |
v
Scotland
| 12 October Euro 2024 Q | Spain | 2–0 | Scotland | Seville, Spain |
| 20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) |
86' |
Report | Stadium: La Cartuja Attendance: 45,623 Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands) |
v Spain
| 15 October 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 Euro 2024 Q | Cyprus | 1–3 | Spain | Limassol, Cyprus |
| 18:00 CET (UTC+01:00) |
|
Report |
22' 28' |
Stadium: Alphamega Stadium Attendance: 9,667 Referee: Mykola Balakin (Ukraine) |
v Georgia
| 19 November Euro 2024 Q | Spain | 3–1 | Georgia | Valladolid, Spain |
| 20:45 CET (UTC+01:00) |
55' 72' (o.g.) |
Report |
|
Stadium: José Zorrilla Attendance: 24,146 Referee: Ovidiu Hațegan (Romania) |
v
Colombia
| 22 March Friendly | Spain | 0–1 | Colombia | London, England |
| 20:30 GMT (UTC±00:00) | Report |
|
Stadium: London Stadium Attendance: 44,000 Referee: Michael Oliver (England) |
v
Brazil
| 26 March Friendly | Spain | 3–3 | Brazil | Madrid, Spain |
| 21:30 CET (UTC+01:00) |
36' |
Report |
50' 90+6' (pen.) |
Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu Attendance: 65,000 Referee: João Pinheiro (Portugal) |
v
Andorra
| 5 June Friendly | Spain | 5–0 | Andorra | Badajoz, Spain |
| 21:30 CET (UTC+01:00) |
53', 66', 73' 81' |
Report | Stadium: Nuevo Vivero Referee: Gustavo Correia (Portugal) |
v
Northern Ireland
| 8 June Friendly | Spain | 5–1 | Northern Ireland | Palma, Spain |
| 21:30 CET (UTC+01:00) |
18' 35' 60' |
Report |
|
Stadium: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix Referee: Bastien Dechepy (France) |
v
Croatia
| 15 June Euro 2024 Group B | Spain | 3–0 | Croatia | Berlin, Germany |
| 18:00 UTC+2 |
32' 45+2' |
Report | Stadium: Olympiastadion Attendance: 68,844 Referee: Michael Oliver (England) |
v
Italy
| 20 June Euro 2024 Group B | Spain | 1–0 | Italy | Gelsenkirchen, Germany |
| 21:00 UTC+2 | Calafiori 55' (o.g.) |
Report | Stadium: Arena AufSchalke Attendance: 49,528[58] Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia) |
v Spain
| 24 June Euro 2024 Group B | Albania | v | Spain | Düsseldorf, Germany |
| 21:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: Merkur Spiel-Arena |
v 3rd Group A/D/E/F
| 30 June Euro 2024 Round of 16 | Spain | v | 3rd Group A/D/E/F | Cologne, Germany |
| 21:00 UTC+2 | Report | Stadium: RheinEnergieStadion |
v Spain
| 5 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Serbia | v | Spain | Belgrade, Serbia |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Red Star Stadium |
v Spain
| 8 September 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Switzerland | v | Spain | Bern, Switzerland |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Stadion Wankdorf |
v Denmark
| 12 October 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Spain | v | Denmark | Madrid, Spain |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Metropolitano Stadium |
v Serbia
| 15 October 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Spain | v | Serbia | Huelva, Spain |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Estadio Nuevo Colombino |
v Spain
| 15 November 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Denmark | v | Spain | Copenhagen, Denmark |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Parken Stadium |
v Switzerland
| 18 November 2024–25 UEFA Nations League | Spain | v | Switzerland | Burgos, Spain |
| 20:45 CEST | Report | Stadium: Estadio El Plantío |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| 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
|
The following 26 players were named in the final squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[59]
Caps and goals updated as of 20 June 2024, after the match against Italy.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1GK | David Raya | (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 (age 28) | 5 | 0 | Arsenal
|
| 13 | 1GK | Álex Remiro | (1995-03-24) 24 March 1995 (age 29) | 1 | 0 | Real Sociedad
|
| 23 | 1GK | Unai Simón | (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 (age 27) | 42 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao
|
| 2 | 2DF | Dani Carvajal (3rd-captain) | (1992-01-11) 11 January 1992 (age 32) | 46 | 1 | Real Madrid
|
| 3 | 2DF | Robin Le Normand | (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 (age 27) | 13 | 1 | Real Sociedad
|
| 4 | 2DF | Nacho | (1990-01-18) 18 January 1990 (age 34) | 26 | 1 | Real Madrid
|
| 5 | 2DF | Daniel Vivian | (1999-07-05) 5 July 1999 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Athletic Bilbao
|
| 12 | 2DF | Álex Grimaldo | (1995-09-20) 20 September 1995 (age 28) | 4 | 0 | Bayer Leverkusen
|
| 14 | 2DF | Aymeric Laporte | (1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 (age 30) | 30 | 1 |  Al Nassr
|
| 22 | 2DF | Jesús Navas | (1985-11-21) 21 November 1985 (age 38) | 53 | 5 | Sevilla
|
| 24 | 2DF | Marc Cucurella | (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 25) | 6 | 0 | Chelsea
|
| 6 | 3MF | Mikel Merino | (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 27) | 23 | 1 | Real Sociedad
|
| 8 | 3MF | Fabián Ruiz | (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 (age 28) | 25 | 3 |  Paris Saint-Germain
|
| 10 | 3MF | Dani Olmo | (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 (age 26) | 34 | 8 | RB Leipzig
|
| 15 | 3MF | Álex Baena | (2001-07-20) 20 July 2001 (age 22) | 4 | 1 | Villarreal
|
| 16 | 3MF | Rodri (vice-captain) | (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 (age 27) | 52 | 3 | Manchester City
|
| 18 | 3MF | Martín Zubimendi | (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 (age 25) | 7 | 0 | Real Sociedad
|
| 20 | 3MF | Pedri | (2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 (age 21) | 22 | 2 | Barcelona
|
| 25 | 3MF | Fermín López | (2003-05-11) 11 May 2003 (age 21) | 1 | 0 | Barcelona
|
| 7 | 4FW | Álvaro Morata (captain) | (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992 (age 31) | 75 | 36 | Atlético Madrid
|
| 9 | 4FW | Joselu | (1990-03-27) 27 March 1990 (age 34) | 11 | 5 | Real Madrid
|
| 11 | 4FW | Ferran Torres | (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 (age 24) | 43 | 19 | Barcelona
|
| 17 | 4FW | Nico Williams | (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002 (age 21) | 16 | 2 | Athletic Bilbao
|
| 19 | 4FW | Lamine Yamal | (2007-07-13) 13 July 2007 (age 16) | 9 | 2 | Barcelona
|
| 21 | 4FW | Mikel Oyarzabal | (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 (age 27) | 32 | 11 | Real Sociedad
|
| 26 | 4FW | Ayoze Pérez | (1993-07-29) 29 July 1993 (age 30) | 2 | 1 | Real Betis
|
The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Kepa Arrizabalaga | (1994-10-03) 3 October 1994 (age 29) | 13 | 0 | Real Madrid
|
v. Norway, 15 October 2023
|
| DF | Pau Cubarsí | (2007-01-22) 22 January 2007 (age 17) | 3 | 0 | Barcelona
|
UEFA Euro 2024 PRE |
| DF | Pedro Porro | (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Tottenham Hotspur
|
v. Brazil, 26 March 2024
|
| DF | José Gayà | (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 (age 29) | 22 | 3 | Valencia
|
v. Colombia, 22 March 2024 INJ
|
| DF | Pau Torres | (1997-01-16) 16 January 1997 (age 27) | 24 | 1 | Aston Villa
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| DF | Iñigo Martínez | (1991-05-17) 17 May 1991 (age 33) | 21 | 1 | Barcelona
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| DF | Eric García | (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 23) | 19 | 0 | Girona
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| DF | David García | (1994-02-14) 14 February 1994 (age 30) | 3 | 0 | Osasuna
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| DF | Fran García | (1999-08-14) 14 August 1999 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Real Madrid
|
v. Norway, 15 October 2023
|
| DF | Alfonso Pedraza | (1996-04-09) 9 April 1996 (age 28) | 1 | 0 | Villarreal
|
v. Norway, 15 October 2023
|
| DF | Alejandro Balde | (2003-10-18) 18 October 2003 (age 20) | 7 | 0 | Barcelona
|
v. Scotland, 12 October 2023 INJ
|
| DF | César Azpilicueta | (1989-08-28) 28 August 1989 (age 34) | 44 | 1 | Atlético Madrid
|
v. Cyprus, 12 September 2023
|
| MF | Aleix García | (1997-06-28) 28 June 1997 (age 26) | 2 | 0 | Girona
|
UEFA Euro 2024 PRE |
| MF | Marcos Llorente | (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 (age 29) | 19 | 0 | Atlético Madrid
|
UEFA Euro 2024 PRE |
| MF | Oihan Sancet | (2000-04-25) 25 April 2000 (age 24) | 4 | 1 | Athletic Bilbao
|
v. Brazil, 26 March 2024
|
| MF | Pablo Sarabia | (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 (age 32) | 27 | 9 | Wolverhampton Wanderers
|
v. Brazil, 26 March 2024
|
| MF | Marco Asensio | (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 (age 28) | 38 | 2 | Paris Saint-Germain
|
v. Georgia, 8 September 2023 INJ
|
| MF | Gavi | (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 (age 19) | 27 | 5 | Barcelona
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| MF | Rodrigo Riquelme | (2000-05-02) 2 May 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Atlético Madrid
|
v. Georgia, 19 November 2023
|
| FW | Gerard Moreno | (1992-04-07) 7 April 1992 (age 32) | 18 | 5 | Villarreal
|
v. Brazil, 26 March 2024
|
| FW | Ansu Fati | (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 (age 21) | 10 | 2 | Brighton & Hove Albion
|
v. Norway, 15 October 2023
|
| FW | Bryan Zaragoza | (2001-09-09) 9 September 2001 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Bayern Munich
|
v. Norway, 15 October 2023
|
| FW | Yeremy Pino | (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 21) | 12 | 2 | Villarreal
|
v. Scotland, 12 October 2023 INJ
|
| FW | Abel Ruiz | (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 |  Braga
|
v. Cyprus, 12 September 2023
|
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury | ||||||
Sergio Ramos holds the record for most appearances for the Spain's team with 180.[60] In second place is Iker Casillas with 167, followed by Sergio Busquets with 143.[60]
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.[60] Raúl González is the second highest goalscorer, scoring 44 goals in 102 appearances between 1996 and 2006.[60]
Below is a list of the ten players with the most caps for Spain, as of 8 June 2024[update].[60]
| Rank | Player | Caps | Goals | Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sergio Ramos | 180 | 23 | 2005–2021 |
| 2 | Iker Casillas | 167 | 0 | 2000–2016 |
| 3 | Sergio Busquets | 143 | 2 | 2009–2022 |
| 4 | Xavi | 133 | 13 | 2000–2014 |
| 5 | Andrés Iniesta | 131 | 13 | 2006–2018 |
| 6 | Andoni Zubizarreta | 126 | 0 | 1985–1998 |
| 7 | David Silva | 125 | 35 | 2006–2018 |
| 8 | Xabi Alonso | 114 | 16 | 2003–2014 |
| 9 | Cesc Fàbregas | 110 | 15 | 2006–2016 |
| Fernando Torres | 110 | 38 | 2003–2014 |
Youngest capped player
Georgia, 8 September 2023[61]Oldest capped player
Northern Ireland, 8 June 2024
Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for Spain, as of 20 June 2024[update].[62][63][60]
| 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 | 36 | 75 | 0.48 | 2014–present |
| 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 | Alfredo Di Stéfano (list) | 23 | 31 | 0.74 | 1957–1961 |
| Sergio Ramos | 23 | 180 | 0.13 | 2005–2021 |
Youngest goalscorer
Georgia, 8 September 2023[61]Oldest goalscorer
Macedonia, 12 November 2016[64]Most goals scored in a single match
First goal scored
France, 25 May 1913[66] (unofficial game) Denmark, 28 August 1920[67] (official game)List of Spain's captains in major tournaments.
Argentina at the 1990 FIFA World Cup, 
Netherlands and 
Costa Rica at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, 
Russia and Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and Croatia and Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup) Germany for 2018)[70]Although often entering tournaments as one of the favorites, Spain have often been perceived as underachieving at the World Cup.[71][72] 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.[73] 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.[74] Spain managed a draw against Uruguay but defeats from Brazil and Sweden meant that Spain would end up in fourth place.[74] 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.[75][76]
Champions Runners-up Third place Hosts or co-hosts
| FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | ||
 1930
|
Did not enter | Did not enter | ||||||||||||||
| 1934
|
Quarter-finals | 5th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||
| 1938
|
Withdrew | Withdrew | ||||||||||||||
 1950
|
Fourth place | 4th | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | ||
| 1954
|
Did not qualify | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | |||||||||
 1958
|
4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 8 | ||||||||||
 1962
|
Group stage | 13th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | ||
| 1966
|
10th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | |||
 1970
|
Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 6 | |||||||||
| 1974
|
5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 6 | ||||||||||
| 1978
|
Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | ||
| 1982
|
Second group stage | 12th | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | Qualified as host | |||||||
| 1986
|
Quarter-finals | 7th | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 8 | ||
| 1990
|
Round of 16 | 10th | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 3 | ||
 1994
|
Quarter-finals | 8th | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 6 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 4 | ||
| 1998
|
Group stage | 17th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 26 | 6 | ||
  2002
|
Quarter-finals | 5th | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 21 | 4 | ||
| 2006
|
Round of 16 | 9th | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 25 | 5 | ||
 2010
|
Champions | 1st | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 5 | ||
| 2014
|
Group stage | 23rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 3 | ||
| 2018
|
Round of 16 | 10th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 36 | 3 | ||
 2022
|
13th | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 5 | |||
 2026
|
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
 2030
|
Qualified as co-host | Qualified as co-host | ||||||||||||||
| 2034
|
To be determined | To be determined | ||||||||||||||
| Total | 1 Title | 16/22 | 67 | 31 | 17 | 19 | 108 | 75 | 125 | 87 | 26 | 12 | 291 | 81 | ||
| Spain's World Cup record | |
|---|---|
| First match | Spain 3–1 Brazil (27 May 1934; Genoa, Italy) |
| Biggest win | Spain 7–0 Costa Rica (23 November 2022; Doha, Qatar) |
| Biggest defeat | Brazil 6–1 Spain (13 July 1950; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) |
| Best result | Championsin2010 |
| Worst result | Group stage in 1962, 1966, 1978, 1998, 2014 |
Spain have won the joint most UEFA European Championships, along with Germany (three titles).[77] 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.[78][79] 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 record | Qualification record | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1960
|
Withdrew | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 2 | ||||||||
| 1964
|
Champions | 1st | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 16 | 5 | |
| 1968
|
Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 5 | ||||||||
 1972
|
6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 3 | |||||||||
 1976
|
8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 9 | |||||||||
| 1980
|
Group stage | 7th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | |
| 1984
|
Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 8 | |
| 1988
|
Group stage | 6th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 6 | |
| 1992
|
Did not qualify | 7 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 17 | 12 | ||||||||
| 1996
|
Quarter-finals | 6th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 4 | |
| 2000
|
5th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 42 | 5 | ||
| 2004
|
Group stage | 10th | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 5 | |
 2008
|
Champions | 1st | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 23 | 8 | |
  2012
|
Champions | 1st | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 6 | |
| 2016
|
Round of 16 | 10th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 23 | 3 | |
 2020
|
Semi-finals | 3rd | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 13 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 5 | |
| 2024
|
Round of 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 25 | 5 | ||
| Total | 3 Titles | 11/17 | 48 | 23 | 15 | 10 | 72 | 42 | 133 | 96 | 18 | 19 | 339 | 96 | |
| Spain's European Championship record | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First match | Spain 2–1 Hungary  (Madrid, Spain; 17 June 1964) | ||||
| Biggest win | Spain 5–0 Slovakia  (Seville, Spain; 23 June 2021) | ||||
| Biggest defeat | France 2–0 Spain (Paris, France; 27 June 1984) West Germany 2–0 Spain (Munich, West Germany; 17 June 1988) Italy 2–0 Spain (Saint-Denis, France; 27 June 2016) | ||||
| Best result | Championsin1964, 2008, 2012 | ||||
| Worst result | Group stage in 1980, 1988, 2004 | ||||
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.[80][81] In the following campaign, La Roja would again reach the final thanks to another win against Italy.[82] Spain would then beat Croatia on penalties after a 0–0 draw.[82]
| UEFA Nations League record | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| League phase | Finals | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Season | LG | Grp | Pos | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | P/R | RK | Year | Pos | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA | Squad | |
| 2018–19 | A | 4 | 2nd | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 7 |  |
7th | 2019
|
Did not qualify | ||||||||
| 2020–21 | A | 4 | 1st | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 3 | |
2nd | 2021
|
Runners-up | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | Squad | |
| 2022–23 | A | 2 | 1st | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 5 | |
1st | 2023
|
Champions | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | Squad | |
| 2024–25 | A | 4 | To be determined |  2025
|
To be determined | ||||||||||||||||
| Total | 16 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 33 | 15 | 1st | Total | 1 Title | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | ||||||
*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.
| Spain's Nations League record | |
|---|---|
| First match | England 1–2 Spain (London, England; 8 September 2018) |
| Biggest win | Spain 6–0 Croatia (Elche, Spain; 11 September 2018) Spain 6–0 Germany (Seville, Spain; 17 November 2020) |
| Biggest defeat | Spain 2–3 England (Seville, Spain; 15 October 2018) Croatia 3–2 Spain (Zagreb, Croatia; 15 November 2018) Ukraine 1–0 Spain (Kyiv, Ukraine; 13 October 2020) Spain 1–2 Switzerland (Zaragoza, Spain; 24 September 2022) |
| Best result | Championsin2022–23 |
| Worst result | 7th place in 2018–19 |
Spain made two appearances at the FIFA Confederations. Their first appearance came in 2009 when they won a third place medal.[83] Spain had lost 2–0 to the United States in the semi-finals.[84] At the next edition, Spain qualified as World champions.[85] La Roja reached the final in Brazil, but lost 3–0 to the hosts.[86]
| FIFA Confederations Cup record | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | |
| 1992
|
UEFA did not participate | ||||||||
| 1995
|
Did not qualify | ||||||||
| 1997
| |||||||||
| 1999
| |||||||||
| 2001
| |||||||||
| 2003
| |||||||||
| 2005
| |||||||||
| 2009
|
Third place | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 4 | |
| 2013
|
Runners-up | 2nd | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 4 | |
| 2017
|
Did not qualify | ||||||||
| Total | Runners-up | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 26 | 8 | ||
| Spain's Confederations Cup record | |
|---|---|
| First match | Spain 5–0 New Zealand  (Rustenburg, South Africa; 14 June 2009) |
| Biggest win | Spain 10–0 Tahiti  (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 20 June 2013) |
| Biggest defeat | Brazil 3–0 Spain (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 30 June 2013) |
| Best result | Runners-upin2013 |
| Worst result | Third place in 2009 |
Source:[87]
| Overview | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Olympic Games | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| UEFA Nations League | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 |
