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 (31 March 2022)[3]
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 
(Brussels, Belgium; 28 August 1920)
Biggest win
 Spain 13–0 Bulgaria 
(Madrid, Spain; 22 August 1933)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 1–7 Italy 
(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
Appearances11 (first in 1964)
Best resultChampions (1964, 2008, 2012)
Nations League Finals
Appearances1 (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 Olympics
1920 AntwerpTeam
This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Spain women's national football team.

The Spain national football team (Spanish: Selección Española de Fútbol) represents 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 the 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 Division A at 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 with three consecutive major titles, becoming the first European team to win a FIFA World Cup outside of Europe in 2010 as well as the only one to win back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012.[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 end of 2009 the Spanish national football team achieved 35 consecutive matches undefeated, a feat which they shared with Brazil, and what was a world record at the time. Their achievements have led many experts and commentators to consider the 2008–2012 Spanish squad one of the best ever sides in the history of world football.[6][7][8][9][10]

History
Main article: History of the Spain national football team
Spain national football team in the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp

Spain has been a member of FIFA since FIFA's foundation 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 Summer Olympics held in Belgium in that same year. Spain made their debut at the tournament on 28 August 1920 against Denmark, silver medallists at the last two Olympic tournaments. The Spanish 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 final 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 Championship held in Spain, 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] 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.[17] 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.[18]

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-final match, which Spain won 4–2 on penalties. They then met Russia again in the semi-final, beating them 3–0.[19] In the final, Spain defeated Germany 1–0, with Fernando Torres scoring the only goal of the game.[20] This was Spain's first major title since the 1964 European Championship. Xavi was awarded the player of the tournament.[21] 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.[22]

Two years later, however, they were eliminated from the group stage of the 2014 World Cup.[23] At Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup, the side reached the last 16.[24][25] In the UEFA Euro 2020 held in 2021, 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).[26]


Team image

Nicknames

Spanish 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-.[27] 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.[28] Spanish football team is sometimes also referred as the Bulls due to this cultural heritage.[29]

Spanish team also received other nicknames, mostly "Toreros" or "Matador", both meanings are Bullfighters in Spanish, to describe its passionate and romantic style of football playing.[30]

Style of play
Main article: Tiki-taka
Spain, UEFA Euro 2008 winners
Spanish players celebrate winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Spain, UEFA Euro 2012 winners

During Spain's most successful period 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.[31]

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",[32] a "short passing style in which the ball is worked carefully through various channels",[33] and a "nonsensical phrase that has come to mean short passing, patience and possession above all else".[34] The style involves roaming movement and positional interchange amongst midfielders, moving the ball in intricate patterns,[35] and sharp, one or two-touch passing.[36] 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.[37] Commentators have contrasted tiki-taka with "Route One physicality"[32] 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.[33] Tiki-taka is associated with flair, creativity, and touch,[38] but can also be taken to a "slow, directionless extreme" that sacrifices effectiveness for aesthetics.[34]

Tiki-taka was successfully employed by the Spanish national team to win UEFA Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. The team of this era is regarded as being among the greatest international teams in 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.[34] 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 Olympics team the nickname La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury") and the tiki-taka style of the contemporary Spanish team, which focused on a collective, short-passing, technical and possession-based game.[39]

Analyzing Spain's semi-final victory over Germany at the 2010 World Cup, Honigstein described the Spanish team'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 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".[37]

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).[36]

Kits and crest

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 coat of arms of Spain over the left breast. After winning the 2010 World Cup, the World Cup winners badge was added to the right breast of the jersey and a golden star at the top of the Spanish 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 1983–1991
Adidas 1991–present Current until 2030[40][41]

Home stadium

Spain does not have a designated national stadium. The capital city 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.[42]

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,[43] Los Cármenes in Granada,[44] El Molinón in Gijón,[45] and the Rico Pérez in Alicante.[46]

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.[47]

Rivalries

Spain has three main rivalries with other top footballing nations.

  • Their rivalry with Italy, sometimes referred to as the Mediterranean Derby,[48] has been contested since 1920, and, 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.[49][50] Since the quarterfinal 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.[51][52]
  • 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 17 victories for Spain, 16 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 honour.[53][54] Spain dominated the head-to-head record with 16 wins, 13 losses and 7 draws, though France has gotten more international glories than Spain.

Results and fixtures
For all past match results of the national team, see single-season articles, and Spain national football team results.
Further information: 2020–21 in Spanish football and 2021–22 in Spanish football

The following matches were played or are scheduled to be played by the national team in the current or upcoming seasons.[55]

2021
28 March 2021 (2021-03-28) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Georgia  1–2  Spain Tbilisi, Georgia
18:00 GET (UTC+04:00)
  • Kvaratskhelia 44'
 Report
Stadium: Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena
Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania)
31 March 2021 (2021-03-31) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Spain  3–1  Kosovo Seville, Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Estadio de La Cartuja
Referee: Jakob Kehlet (Denmark)
4 June 2021 Friendly Spain  0–0  Portugal Madrid, Spain
19:30 Report Stadium: Wanda Metropolitano
Attendance: 14,743
Referee: Craig Pawson (England)
8 June 2021 (2021-06-08) Friendly Spain  4–0  Lithuania Leganés, Spain
19:45 UTC+1
Report Stadium: Estadio Municipal de Butarque
Referee: Willy Delajod (France)
14 June 2021 (2021-06-14) UEFA Euro 2020 Group E Spain  0–0  Sweden Seville, Spain
21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report Stadium: La Cartuja
Attendance: 10,559
Referee: Slavko Vinčić (Slovenia)
19 June 2021 (2021-06-19) UEFA Euro 2020 Group E Spain  1–1  Poland Seville, Spain
21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Estadio de La Cartuja
Attendance: 11,732
Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)
23 June 2021 (2021-06-23) UEFA Euro 2020 Group E Slovakia  0–5  Spain Seville, Spain
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
Stadium: Estadio de La Cartuja
Attendance: 11,204
Referee: Björn Kuipers (Netherlands)
28 June 2021 UEFA Euro 2020 R16 Croatia  3–5 (a.e.t.)  Spain Copenhagen, Denmark
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Parken Stadium
Attendance: 22,771
Referee: Cüneyt Çakır (Turkey)
2 July 2021 UEFA Euro 2020 QF Switzerland   1–1 (a.e.t.)
(1–3 p)		  Spain Saint Petersburg, Russia
18:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Krestovsky Stadium
Attendance: 24,764
Referee: Michael Oliver (England)
Penalties
6 July 2021 UEFA Euro 2020 SF Italy  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)		  Spain London, England
21:00 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 57,811
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)
Penalties
2 September 2021 (2021-09-02) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Sweden  2–1  Spain Stockholm, Sweden
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: Friends Arena
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
5 September 2021 (2021-09-05) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Spain  4–0  Georgia Badajoz, Spain
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report Stadium: Nuevo Vivero
Referee: Tiago Martins (Portugal)
8 September 2021 (2021-09-08) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Kosovo  0–2  Spain Pristina, Kosovo
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00) Report
Stadium: Fadil Vokrri Stadium
Referee: Bobby Madden (Scotland)
6 October 2021 (2021-10-06) 2021 UEFA Nations League SF Italy  1–2  Spain Milan, Italy
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: San Siro
Attendance: 33,524
Referee: Sergei Karasev (Russia)
10 October 2021 (2021-10-10) 2021 UEFA Nations League F Spain  1–2  France Milan, Italy
20:45 CEST (UTC+02:00)
Report
Stadium: San Siro
Attendance: 31,511
Referee: Anthony Taylor (England)
11 November 2021 (2021-11-11) 2022 FIFA W.C. Q Greece  0–1  Spain Athens, Greece
21:45 EET (UTC+02:00) Report
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)
Report Stadium: La Cartuja
Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

2022
26 March 2022 Friendly Spain  2–1  Albania Cornellà de Llobregat, Spain
 Report
Stadium: RCDE Stadium
Referee: Trustin Farrugia Cann (Malta)
29 March 2022 Friendly Spain  5–0  Iceland A Coruña, Spain
 Report Stadium: Riazor
Attendance: 28,117
Referee: Horațiu Feșnic (Romania)
2 June 2022 (2022-06-02) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Spain  v  Portugal Seville, Spain
20:45 Report Stadium: Benito Villamarín
24 September 2022 (2022-09-24) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Spain  v   Switzerland Spain
20:45 Report
27 September 2022 (2022-09-27) 2022–23 UEFA Nations League A Portugal  v  Spain Portugal
20:45 (19:45 UTC+1) Report
23 November 2022 2022 FIFA World Cup Spain  v CONCACAF–OFC winners 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

Coaching staff
Main article: List of Spain national football team managers
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 22 players were called up for international friendlies against Albania and Iceland on 26 and 29 March 2022, respectively.[56]
On the 19th of March Diego Llorente pulled out of the squad due to injury and was replaced by Hugo Guillamón.[57]
On the 24th of March Raúl de Tomás pulled out of the squad due to injury and was not replaced, leaving the squad with 22 members.[58]
On the 26th of March Robert Sánchez pulled out of the squad due to personal reasons and was replaced by Spain U-21 goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.[59]
Information correct as of 29 March 2022, after the match against Iceland.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Arnau Tenas (2001-05-30) 30 May 2001 0 0 Barcelona
13 1GK David Raya (1995-09-15) 15 September 1995 1 0 Brentford
23 1GK Unai Simón (1997-06-11) 11 June 1997 21 0 Athletic Bilbao
2 2DF César Azpilicueta (1989-08-28) 28 August 1989 38 1 Chelsea
3 2DF Eric García (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 15 0 Barcelona
4 2DF Pau Torres (1997-01-17) 17 January 1997 17 1 Villarreal
12 2DF Hugo Guillamón (2000-01-31) 31 January 2000 2 1 Valencia
14 2DF Aymeric Laporte (1994-05-27) 27 May 1994 15 1 Manchester City
17 2DF Marcos Alonso (1990-12-28) 28 December 1990 7 0 Chelsea
18 2DF Jordi Alba (vice-captain) (1989-03-21) 21 March 1989 82 8 Barcelona
20 2DF Dani Carvajal (1992-01-11) 11 January 1992 27 0 Real Madrid
5 3MF Carlos Soler (1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 6 2 Valencia
6 3MF Marcos Llorente (1995-01-30) 30 January 1995 13 0 Atlético Madrid
8 3MF Koke (1992-01-08) 8 January 1992 62 0 Atlético Madrid
9 3MF Gavi (2004-08-05) 5 August 2004 6 0 Barcelona
10 3MF Pedri (2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 12 0 Barcelona
16 3MF Rodri (1996-06-22) 22 June 1996 31 1 Manchester City
21 3MF Dani Olmo (1998-05-07) 7 May 1998 20 4 RB Leipzig
7 4FW Álvaro Morata (1992-10-23) 23 October 1992 52 25 Juventus
11 4FW Ferran Torres (2000-02-29) 29 February 2000 24 13 Barcelona
19 4FW Yeremi Pino (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 4 1 Villarreal
22 4FW Pablo Sarabia (1992-05-11) 11 May 1992 18 7 Sporting CP

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 Robert Sánchez (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 1 0 Brighton & Hove Albion v.  Albania, 26 March 2022 WD
GK David de Gea (1990-11-07) 7 November 1990 45 0 Manchester United v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
GK Kepa Arrizabalaga (1994-10-03) 3 October 1994 11 0 Chelsea UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
GK Álvaro Fernández (1998-04-13) 13 April 1998 1 0 Brentford UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
GK Josep Martínez (1998-05-27) 27 May 1998 1 0 RB Leipzig v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
GK Iñaki Peña (1999-03-02) 2 March 1999 0 0 Galatasaray v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
DF Diego Llorente (1993-08-16) 16 August 1993 8 0 Leeds United v.  Albania, 26 March 2022 INJ
DF José Gayà (1995-05-25) 25 May 1995 17 3 Valencia v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
DF Iñigo Martínez (1991-05-17) 17 May 1991 17 0 Athletic Bilbao v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
DF Sergio Reguilón (1996-12-16) 16 December 1996 6 0 Tottenham Hotspur v.  France, 10 October 2021
DF Pedro Porro (1999-09-13) 13 September 1999 1 0 Sporting CP 2021 UEFA Nations League Finals
DF Raúl Albiol (1985-09-04) 4 September 1985 58 0 Villarreal v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2021
DF Juan Miranda (2000-01-19) 19 January 2000 1 1 Betis UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
DF Marc Cucurella (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 1 0 Brighton & Hove Albion UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
DF Óscar Mingueza (1999-05-13) 13 May 1999 1 0 Barcelona UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
DF Alejandro Pozo (1999-02-22) 22 February 1999 1 0 Almería UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
DF Óscar Gil (1998-04-26) 26 April 1998 1 0 Espanyol v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
DF Jorge Cuenca (1999-11-17) 17 November 1999 0 0 Villarreal v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
MF Sergio Busquets (captain) (1988-07-16) 16 July 1988 133 2 Barcelona v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
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 Celta Vigo v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
MF Brahim Díaz (1999-08-03) 3 August 1999 1 1 Milan v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
MF Sergi Roberto (1992-02-07) 7 February 1992 11 1 Barcelona v.  Italy, 6 October 2021
MF Thiago (1991-04-11) 11 April 1991 46 2 Liverpool UEFA Euro 2020
MF Fabián (1996-04-03) 3 April 1996 15 1 Napoli UEFA Euro 2020
MF Gonzalo Villar (1998-03-23) 23 March 1998 1 0 Roma UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
MF Martín Zubimendi (1999-02-02) 2 February 1999 1 0 Real Sociedad UEFA Euro 2020 PRE
MF Fran Beltrán (1999-02-03) 3 February 1999 1 0 Celta Vigo v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
MF Antonio Blanco (2000-07-23) 23 July 2000 1 0 Real Madrid v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
MF Manu García (1998-01-02) 2 January 1998 1 0 Alavés v.  Lithuania, 8 June 2021
FW Raúl de Tomás (1994-10-17) 17 October 1994 2 0 Espanyol v.  Albania, 26 March 2022 INJ
FW Rodrigo (1991-03-06) 6 March 1991 27 8 Leeds United v.  Sweden, 14 November 2021
FW Ansu Fati (2002-10-31) 31 October 2002 4 1 Barcelona v.  Greece, 11 November 2021 INJ
FW Mikel Oyarzabal (1997-04-21) 21 April 1997 21 6 Real Sociedad v.  France, 10 October 2021
FW Bryan Gil (2001-02-11) 11 February 2001 4 0 Valencia v.  France, 10 October 2021
FW Adama Traoré (1996-01-25) 25 January 1996 8 0 Barcelona v.  Kosovo, 8 September 2021
FW Abel Ruiz (2000-01-28) 28 January 2000 2 0 Braga v.  Georgia, 5 September 2021
FW Gerard Moreno (1992-04-07) 7 April 1992 17 5 Villarreal v.  Sweden, 2 September 2021
FW Javi Puado (1998-05-25) 25 May 1998 1 1 Espanyol UEFA Euro 2020 PRE

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

Individual records

Player records
Main articles: List of Spain international footballers and Spain national football team records and statistics

Sergio Ramos holds the record for most appearances for the Spanish team with 180 since his debut in 2005. In second place is Iker Casillas with 167, followed by Xavi with 133.[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. 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 teams 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 29 March 2022.[2][61]

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 133 2 2009–present
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

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 29 March 2022.[62][63]

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 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
7 Emilio Butragueño 26 69 0.38 1984–1992
8 Álvaro Morata 25 52 0.48 2014–present
9 Alfredo Di Stéfano 23 31 0.74 1957–1961
Sergio Ramos 23 180 0.13 2005–present

Captains
Main article: List of Spain national football team captains

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

[nb 3]

Manager records
Main articles: List of Spain national football team managers and Spain national football team records and statistics
Most manager appearances
Vicente del Bosque: 114

Team records
Main article: Spain national football team records and statistics

Competitive record
For the all-time record of the national team against opposing nations, see Spain national football team all-time record.

FIFA World Cup
Main article: Spain at the FIFA World Cup

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup 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 Qualified 8 6 1 1 15 5
2026 To be determined To be determined
Total 1 title 16/22 63 30 15 18 99 72 125 87 26 12 291 81
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
**Gold background colour indicates that the tournament was won.
***Red border colour indicates tournament was held on home soil.

UEFA European Championship
Main article: Spain at the UEFA European Championship
UEFA European Championship record Qualification record
Year Result Position Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D* L GF GA
1960 Did not qualify[lower-alpha 1] 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 Quarter-finals 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 titles 11/17 46 21 15 10 68 42 125 89 18 18 314 91

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
Season Division Group Round RK Pld W D L GF GA P/R
2018–19 A 4 Group Stage 7th4202127
2020–21 A 4 Runners-up 2nd8422166
2022–23 A 2 To be determined
Total 2/2 4th 12 6 2 4 28 13

FIFA Confederations Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA Squad
1992 UEFA did not participate
1995 Did not qualify
1997
1999
2001
2003
2005
2009 Third place 3rd 5 4 0 1 11 4 Squad
2013 Runners-up 2nd 5 3 1 1 15 4 Squad
2017 Did not qualify
Total Runners-up 2/10 10 7 1 2 26 8

Olympic Games
Olympic Games record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
1920Silver medalists2nd540195
1924Round 117th100101
1928Quarter-finals6th311199
1936Withdrew
1948Did not qualify
1952
1956
1960
1964
1968–1988See Spain national amateur football team
Since 1992See Spain national under-23 football team
Total 1 Silver Medal 3/9 9 5 1 3 18 15
  • Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

Head-to-head record
Main article: Spain national football team head-to-head record

All-time results
Main article: Spain national football team 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:[64]

Honours
Overview
Event 1st place 2nd place 3rd place 4th place
FIFA World Cup 1 0 0 1
UEFA European Championship 3 1 1 x
UEFA Nations League 0 1 0 0
Olympic Games 0 1 0 0
FIFA Confederations Cup 0 1 1 0
Total 4 4 2 1

See also

Notes
  1. Spain refused to travel to the Soviet Union for their qualification quarter-final, so Spain were disqualified and the Soviet Union were awarded a walkover victory.
  1. During 1920 Summer Olympics, Mariano Arrate and Pedro Vallana were named the Spain national team acting captains.
  2. During 1920 Summer Olympics, Mariano Arrate and Pedro Vallana were named the Spain national team acting captains.
  3. During UEFA Euro 2020, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets were named the Spain national team acting captains, as Ramos was not announced as a member of the final team for the competition.

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