Spain national football team

Spain
Nickname(s)La Roja ("The Red One")
La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury")[1]
AssociationReal Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachLuis Enrique
CaptainSergio Busquets
Most capsSergio Ramos (180)[2]
Top scorerDavid Villa (59)
Home stadiumVarious
FIFA codeESP
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 7 1 (6 October 2022)[3]
Highest1 (July 2008 – June 2009, October 2009 – March 2010, July 2010 – July 2011, October 2011 – July 2014)
Lowest25 (March 1998)
First international
Unofficial
 Spain 1–1 France 
(Hondarribia, Spain; 25 May 1913)
Official
 Spain 1–0 Denmark 
(Brussels, 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 
(Cologne, Germany; 9 December 1931)
World Cup
Appearances16 (first in 1934)
Best resultChampions (2010)
European Championship
Appearances11 (first in 1964)
Best resultChampions (1964, 2008, 2012)
Nations League Finals
Appearances2 (first in 2021)
Best resultRunners-up (2021)
FIFA Confederations Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2009)
Best resultRunners-up (2013)
Medal record
Men's football
FIFA World Cup
2010 South AfricaTeam
UEFA European Championship
1964 SpainTeam
1984 FranceTeam
2008 Austria–SwitzerlandTeam
2012 Poland–UkraineTeam
2020 EuropeTeam
UEFA Nations League
2021 ItalyTeam
FIFA Confederations Cup
2009 South AfricaTeam
2013 BrazilTeam
Men's Olympic
1920 AntwerpTeam
1992 BarcelonaTeam
2000 SídneyTeam
2020 TokyoTeam
Websiterfef.es

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

Spain is one of eight national teams to have been crowned world champions, having participated in a total of 16 of 22 FIFA World Cups and qualifying consistently since 1978. Spain also won three continental titles, having appeared at 11 of 16 UEFA European Championships. Spain currently competes in League A of the UEFA Nations League alongside the other top teams of Europe. Their best result was in the 2020–21 season where they reached the final, losing to France.

Spain is 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 FIFA World Cup held outside of Europe in 2010.[4] From 2008 to 2013, Spain won the FIFA Team of the Year, the second-most of any nation, behind only Brazil.[5] 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. Their achievements have led many experts and commentators to consider the 2008–2012 Spain squads one of the best ever sides in the history of world football.[6][7][8][9][10]

History
Spain national football team in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp

Spain has been a member of FIFA since FIFA's 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, which had given them the name of the "underachievers".[14]

Spain won its first major international title when hosting 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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[6] 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.[24]

They advanced to the final of the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, losing to hosts Brazil[25] and the following year they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.[26] At Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, the side reached the last 16.[27][28] In the UEFA Euro 2020, held in 2021 after COVID-19 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 on penalties. The team finished the tournament with two wins and four draws (including two penalty shootouts).[29] The same year they managed to reach the 2021 UEFA Nations League Final losing against France.[30]


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.[8][6][7]

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.[6]

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, 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 1983 until 1991) 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 supplier Period Notes
None 1920–1935
Deportes Cóndor 1935–1966
Umbro 1966
Deportes Cóndor 1967–1981
Adidas 1981–1983
Le Coq Sportif 1984–1990
Adidas 1991–present Current until 2030[44][45]

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 three 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.

Results and fixtures

The following matches were played or are scheduled to be played by the national team in the current or upcoming seasons.[59]

2021
11 November 2021 (2021-11-11) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Greece  0–1  Spain Athens, Greece
21:45 EET (UTC+02:00) Report
  • Sarabia 26' (pen.)
 Stadium: Olympic Stadium
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland)
14 November 2021 (2021-11-14) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Spain  1–0  Sweden Seville, Spain
20:45 CET (UTC+01:00)
  • Morata 86'
 Report Stadium: La Cartuja
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

2022
26 March 2022 Friendly Spain  2–1  Albania Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain
  • F. Torres 75'
  • Olmo 90'
 Report
  • Uzuni 85'
 Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)
29 March 2022 Friendly Spain  5–0  Iceland A Coruña, Spain
  • Morata 36', 39' (pen.)
  • Pino 47'
  • Sarabia 61', 72'
 Report Stadium: Riazor
Attendance: 28,117
Referee: Horațiu Feșnic (Romania)
2 June 2022 (2022-06-02) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Spain  1–1  Portugal Seville, Spain
20:45
  • Morata 25'
 Report
  • Horta 82'
 Stadium: Benito Villamarín
Attendance: 41,236
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
5 June 2022 (2022-06-05) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Czech Republic  2–2  Spain Prague, Czech Republic
20:45
  • Pešek 4'
  • Kuchta 66'
 Report
  • Gavi 45+3'
  • Martínez 90'
 Stadium: Sinobo Stadium
Attendance: 18,245
Referee: François Letexier (France)
9 June 2022 (2022-06-09) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Switzerland   0–1  Spain Geneva, Switzerland
20:45 Report
  • Sarabia 13'
 Stadium: Stade de Genève
Attendance: 25,875
Referee: Serdar Gözübüyük (Netherlands)
12 June 2022 (2022-06-12) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Spain  2–0  Czech Republic Málaga, Spain
20:45
  • Soler 24'
  • Sarabia 75'
 Report Stadium: La Rosaleda
Attendance: 30,389
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey)
24 September 2022 (2022-09-24) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Spain  1–2   Switzerland Zaragoza, Spain
20:45
  • Alba 51'
 Report
  • Akanji 21'
  • Embolo 59'
 Stadium: La Romareda
Attendance: 31,804
Referee: Clément Turpin (France)
27 September 2022 (2022-09-27) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Portugal  0–1  Spain Braga, Portugal
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1) Report
  • Morata 88'
 Stadium: Estadio Municipal de Braga
Attendance: 28,196
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
17 November 2022 (2022-11-17) Friendly Jordan  v  Spain Amman, Jordan
21:45 UTC+2 Stadium: Amman International Stadium
23 November 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup Spain  v  Costa Rica Doha, Qatar
19:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Al Thumama Stadium
27 November 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup Spain  v  Germany Al Khor, Qatar
22:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Al-Bayt Stadium
1 December 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup Japan  v  Spain Al Rayyan, Qatar
22:00 UTC+3 Stadium: Khalifa International Stadium

2023
25 March 2023 2024 Euro Q Spain  v  Norway Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
28 March 2023 2024 Euro Q Scotland  v  Spain Scotland
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
14–15 June 2023 2022–23 UEFA Nations League SF Spain  v TBD Netherlands
--:-- CEST (UTC+02:00)
18 June 2023 2022–23 UEFA Nations League 3rd/F Spain  v TBD Netherlands
--:-- CEST (UTC+02:00)
8 September 2023 2024 Euro Q Georgia  v  Spain Georgia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
11 September 2023 2024 Euro Q Spain  v  Cyprus Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
12 October 2023 2024 Euro Q Spain  v  Scotland Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
15 October 2023 2024 Euro Q Norway  v  Spain Norway
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
16 November 2023 2024 Euro Q Cyprus  v  Spain Cyprus
20:45 CET (UTC+01:00) Report
19 November 2023 2024 Euro Q Spain  v  Georgia Spain
20:45 CET (UTC+01:00) Report

Coaching staff
Role Name
Head coach Luis Enrique
Assistant coach Jesús Casas
Goalkeeping coach José Sambade
Fitness coach Rafel Pol
Data analysts Aitor Unzué
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 José Francisco Molina
Team manager Antonio Limones
Delegate Pedro Cortés

Players

Current squad

The following 25 players were called up for 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Switzerland and Portugal on 24 and 27 September 2022, respectively.[60]

Caps and goals updated as of 27 September 2022, after the match against Portugal.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Robert Sánchez (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 1 0 Brighton & Hove Albion
13 1GK David Raya (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 1 0 Brentford
23 1GK Unai Simón (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 27 0 Athletic Bilbao
4 2DF Pau Torres (1997-01-17) 17 January 1997 21 1 Villarreal
12 2DF Hugo Guillamón (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 3 1 Valencia
14 2DF José Gayà (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 18 3 Valencia
17 2DF Diego Llorente (1993-08-16) 16 August 1993 10 0 Leeds United
18 2DF Jordi Alba (vice-captain) (1989-03-21) 21 March 1989 86 9 Barcelona
20 2DF Dani Carvajal (1992-01-11) 11 January 1992 30 0 Real Madrid
2DF César Azpilicueta (1989-08-28) 28 August 1989 41 1 Chelsea
2DF Eric García (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 18 0 Barcelona
5 3MF Sergio Busquets (captain) (1988-07-16) 16 July 1988 139 2 Barcelona
6 3MF Marcos Llorente (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 17 0 Atlético Madrid
8 3MF Koke (3rd captain) (1992-01-08) 8 January 1992 67 0 Atlético Madrid
30 3MF Gavi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 12 1 Barcelona
10 3MF Marco Asensio (1996-01-21) 21 January 1996 29 1 Real Madrid
11 3MF Ferran Torres (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 30 13 FC Barcelona
16 3MF Rodri (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 34 1 Manchester City
19 3MF Carlos Soler (1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 11 3 Paris Saint-Germain
21 3MF Pedri (2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 14 0 Barcelona
22 3MF Pablo Sarabia (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 24 9 Paris Saint-Germain
2 4FW Nico Williams (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002 2 0 Athletic Bilbao
3 4FW Borja Iglesias (1993-01-17) 17 January 1993 1 0 Real Betis
7 4FW Álvaro Morata (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992 57 27 Atlético Madrid
15 4FW Yeremy Pino (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 6 1 Villarreal

Recent call-ups

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 Arnau Tenas (2001-05-30) 30 May 2001 0 0 Barcelona B v.  Iceland, 29 March 2022
GK David de Gea (1990-11-07) 7 November 1990 45 0 Manchester United v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
DF Iñigo Martínez (1991-05-17) 17 May 1991 19 1 Athletic Bilbao v.  Czech Republic, 12 June 2022
DF Marcos Alonso (1990-12-28) 28 December 1990 9 0 Barcelona v.  Czech Republic, 12 June 2022
DF Aymeric Laporte (1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 15 1 Manchester City v.  Portugal, 2 June 2022 INJ
MF Dani Olmo (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 24 4 RB Leipzig v.  Czech Republic, 12 June 2022
MF Thiago (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 46 2 Liverpool v.  Portugal, 2 June 2022 INJ
MF Mikel Merino (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 11 0 Real Sociedad v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
MF Pablo Fornals (1996-02-22) 22 February 1996 6 1 West Ham v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
MF Brais Méndez (1997-01-07) 7 January 1997 4 1 Real Sociedad v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
FW Ansu Fati (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 4 1 Barcelona v.  Czech Republic, 12 June 2022
FW Raúl de Tomás (1994-10-17) 17 October 1994 4 0 Rayo Vallecano v.  Czech Republic, 5 June 2022 INJ
FW Brahim Díaz (1999-08-03) 3 August 1999 1 1 AC Milan v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
FW Rodrigo (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 27 8 Leeds United v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021

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

Previous squads
World Cup
  • 1934 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1950 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1962 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1966 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1978 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1982 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1986 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1990 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1994 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 1998 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 2002 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 2006 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 2010 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 2014 FIFA World Cup squad
  • 2018 FIFA World Cup squad
European Championship
  • UEFA Euro 1964 squad
  • UEFA Euro 1980 squad
  • UEFA Euro 1984 squad
  • UEFA Euro 1988 squad
  • UEFA Euro 1996 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2000 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2004 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2008 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2012 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2016 squad
  • UEFA Euro 2020 squad
Olympic Games
  • 1920 Olympic Games squad
  • 1924 Olympic Games squad
  • 1928 Olympic Games squad


Confederations Cup
  • 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup squad
  • 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad


UEFA Nations League Finals
  • 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals squad

Individual records

Player records

Sergio Ramos holds the record for most appearances for the Spain's team with 180 since his debut in 2005. In second place is Iker Casillas with 167, followed by Sergio Busquets with 138.[61]

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

Between November 2006 and June 2009, Spain went undefeated for a record-equaling 35 consecutive matches before their loss to the United States in the Confederations Cup, a record shared with Brazil and Italy, and included a record 15-game winning streak. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Spain became the inaugural European national team to lift the World Cup trophy outside Europe; along with Brazil, Germany and Argentina, Spain is one of the four national team to have won the FIFA World Cup outside its home continent.

Most capped players
Sergio Ramos holds the record for 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 27 September 2022.[2][62]

Players in bold are still active with Spain.
Rank Player Caps Goals Period
1 Sergio Ramos 180 23 2005–present
2 Iker Casillas 167 0 2000–2016
3 Sergio Busquets 139 2 2009–present
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
  • Gavi (17 years and 62 days) vs.  Italy, 6 October 2021[63]

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 27 September 2022.[65][66]

Rank Player Goals Caps Average Period
1 David Villa 59 98 0.6 2005–2017
2 Raúl 44 102 0.43 1996–2006
3 Fernando Torres 38 110 0.35 2003–2014
4 David Silva 35 125 0.28 2006–2018
5 Fernando Hierro 29 89 0.33 1989–2002
6 Fernando Morientes 27 47 0.57 1998–2007
Álvaro Morata 27 57 0.47 2014–present
8 Emilio Butragueño 26 69 0.38 1984–1992
9 Alfredo Di Stéfano 23 31 0.74 1957–1961
Sergio Ramos 23 180 0.13 2005–present

Youngest goalscorer

Oldest goalscorer
  • Aritz Aduriz (35 years and 274 days) vs.  Macedonia, 12 November 2016[68]

Most goals scored in a single match

First goal scored
  • Juan Arzuaga vs.  France, 25 May 1913[70] (unofficial game)
  • Patricio Arabolaza vs.  Denmark, 28 August 1920[71] (official game)

Captains

List of captaincy periods of the various captains throughout the years.

  • 1920–29 José María Belauste (Midfielder)[nb 1]
  • 1930–39 Ricardo Zamora (Goalkeeper)[nb 2]
  • 1949–50 Ignacio Eizaguirre (Goalkeeper)
  • 1958 Marcelo Campanal (Defender)
  • 1962 Joan Segarra (Defender)
  • 1964–65 Ferran Olivella (Defender)
  • 1966 Francisco Gento (Forward)
  • 1978 Pirri (Midfielder)
  • 1980 Juan Manuel Asensi (Midfielder)
  • 1980–84 Luis Arconada (Goalkeeper)
  • 1984–88 José Antonio Camacho (Defender)
  • 1988–92 Emilio Butragueño (Forward)
  • 1992–93 José Mari Bakero (Midfielder)
  • 1993–98 Andoni Zubizarreta (Goalkeeper)
  • 1998–2002 Fernando Hierro (Defender)
  • 2002–06 Raúl González Blanco (Forward)
  • 2006–16 Iker Casillas (Goalkeeper)
  • 2016–21 Sergio Ramos (Defender)
  • 2021–present Sergio Busquets (Midfielder)[nb 3]

Manager records
  • Most manager appearances
Vicente del Bosque: 114

Team records

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

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 Did not enter Did not enter
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 Qualified 8 6 1 1 15 5
2026 To be determined To be determined
2030
Total 1 Title 16/22 63 30 15 18 99 72 125 87 26 12 291 81

UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Did not qualify 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 To be determined To be determined
Total 3 Title 11/17 46 21 15 10 68 42 125 89 18 18 314 91

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
League phase Finals
Season LG GP Pos Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK Year Pos Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
2018–19 A 4 2nd42021277th 2019 Did not qualify
2020–21 A 4 1st63211332nd 2021 2nd 210133 Squad
2022–23 A 2 1st632185TBA 2023 Qualified
2024–25 A To be determined 2025 To be determined
Total 16 8 4 4 33 15 2nd Total 2 1 0 1 3 3 —

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

FIFA Confederations Cup
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 2/10 10 7 1 2 26 8

All-time results

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

Played Won Drawn Lost GF GA
Total7164181661321434643

FIFA Rankings

Last update was on 28 November 2019. Source:[72]

Honours

Title
  • UEFA Nations League
    • Runners-up: 2021

Awards
  • Prince of Asturias Award for Sports
    • Winners: 2010
  • Laureus World Team of the Year
    • Winners: 2011
Overview
Event 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place
FIFA World Cup 1 0 0 1
UEFA European Championship 3 1 1 0
UEFA Nations League 0 1 0 0
Olympic Games 1 3 0 0
FIFA Confederations Cup 0 1 1 0
Total 5 6 2 1

See also
  • Spain national under-23 football team (Spain Olympic football team)
  • Spain national under-21 football team
  • Spain national under-20 football team
  • Spain national under-19 football team
  • Spain national under-18 football team
  • Spain national under-17 football team
  • Spain national under-16 football team
  • Spain national under-15 football team
  • Spain women's national football team
  • Spain women's national under-23 football team
  • Spain women's national under-20 football team
  • Spain women's national under-19 football team
  • Spain women's national under-17 football team
  • La Liga
  • Football in Spain
  • Sport in Spain

Notes
    1. During 1920 Summer Olympic, Mariano Arrate and Pedro Vallana were name the Spain national team acting captains.
    2. During 1920 Summer Olympic, Mariano Arrate and Pedro Vallana were name the Spain national team acting captains.
    3. During UEFA Euro 2020, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were name the Spain national team acting captains, as Ramos was not announced as a member of the finals team for the competition.

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