Current FIFA Ranking: 1
Highest FIFA Ranking: 1 (since Sept 2025)
Lowest FIFA Ranking: 25 (March 1998)
Football Team Nickname: La Furia Roja (The Red One)
Honours:
World Cup: (1): 2010
European Championship (4): 1964, 2008, 2012, 2024
Nations League (1): 2023
Head coach: Luis de la Fuente (since Dec 2022)
Top scorers in qualifying: Mikel Merino, Mikel Oyarzabal (both 6)
Star players: Lamine Yamal (Barcelona), Ferran Torres (Barcelona), Rodri (Man City)
European champions for the fourth time in 2024, Spain have disappointed on the world stage since winning the tournament in South Africa in 2010. A second consecutive Round of 16 in exit in 2022 means it is now three consecutive tournaments since they even reached the quarter-finals.
Luis de la Fuente was appointed in 2022 – the former U21 international having been part of the national team coaching setup at youth levels since 2013. He has already won Euro 2024 and the 2023 Nations League (also finishing runners-up in 2025) and will be looking to add a third honour in just his fourth year in charge.
Spain’s golden era may be over, but a new one could be on the horizon with talent such as 2025 Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal likely to light up the 2026 World Cup.
Previous World Cup appearances (16):
2022: Round of 16 (0-0 v Morocco aet, 0-3 on pens)
2018: Round of 16
2014: Group stage
2010: Winners
2006: Round of 16
2002: Quarter-final
1998: Group stage
1994: Quarter-final
1990: Round of 16
1986: Quarter-final
1982: Second group stage
1978: Group stage
1966: Group stage
1962: Group stage
1950: Fourth
1934: Quarter-final
