Spain

Spain is an official member of FIFA since the FIFA's founding at the time of 1904, despite it was not until the Spanish Football Federation was first founded in 1909. It was the first time a Spain soccer team formed in 1920 with the primary goal of forming an appropriate team to represent Spain in the Summer Olympic held in Belgium in the same year. Spain began their first appearance at the event on the 28th of August 1920 , against Denmark which was a silver medalist at the previous two Olympic competitions. The Spanish won that match with a score of 1-0, and ultimately winning the gold medal. Spain was able to participate in its first FIFA World Cup in 1934 winning against Brazil in their opening match but losing in a replay to hosts and the eventual winners Italy in the quarterfinals. It was the Spanish Civil War and World War II kept Spain from participating in any matches that were competitive between 1934's World Cup and the 1950 qualifying matches. In the 1950 finals in Brazil they won their group and advanced to the finals stage which they then came fourth. This was the highest score for Spain at the FIFA World Cup finals, which earned them the title of "underachievers".

Spain has won its first major international trophy when it hosted Europe's Nations' Cup 1964 in Spain and defeated an opponent from the Soviet Union 2-1 in the finals played at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The win would be the only major victory for Spain in 44 years. Spain was picked as the host for in 1982's FIFA World Cup, reaching the second round, and four years later, they made it to the quarterfinals, but suffered losing a penalty shootout to Belgium. Additionally, in UEFA Euro 1984 they lost the final to France. Spain reached the quarterfinals at 1994's World Cup. The match was controversial after Italian defenseman Mauro Tassotti smacked Luis Enrique with his elbow within the penalty area of Spain. This which caused Luis Enrique to bleed profusely from his mouth and nose However, the incident wasn't noticed or acknowledged by the referee Sandor Puhl. If the official had acknowledged the offence, Spain would have merited an extra penalty kick. In 2002's World Cup, Spain won three of its group play games and then beat their opponents the Republic of Ireland on penalties in the second round. They played hosts South Korea in the quarter-finals but lost in a shootout following two goals that were controversially rescheduled because of alleged violations in the regular and extra time.

In UEFA Euro 2008, Spain took all of their games in the group D. Italy were the opponents in the quarterfinals game in which Spain took 4-2 in penalties. The next time they played, they faced Russia and again during the semifinals and beat Russia 3-1. In the final match, Spain defeated Germany 1-1 and Fernando Torres scoring the only goal of the match. It was the first major win since 1964's European Championship. Xavi was awarded the title of the best player at the event. The following year, the team came third in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup breaking their streak of unbeaten play that had begun in the month of November. At the 2010, World Cup, Spain advanced to the finals to the final for the first time with a victory over Germany 1-1. In the game that was decisive in the final against Netherlands, Andres Iniesta scored the sole goal of the match during extra time. Spain was the 3rd team in history to be the winner of the World Cup outside their own continent, and also the first European team to achieve this. Goalkeeper Iker Casillas was awarded the golden glove after he only conceded two goals in the tournament. David Villa won the bronze ball and silver boot. They the top scorer in the competition. Spain was ranked at the top of Group I in the qualification process to play in UEFA Euro 2012 with a 100% win rate. They were one of the teams to hold their place in the European Championship, winning the final with a 4-0 victory over Italy as Fernando Torres won the Golden Boot for the top scorer of the tournament.

They reached Finals of 2013's FIFA Confederations Cup but, but were defeated by Brazil and then the following year was eliminated in the preliminary stage for the 2014 World Cup. In Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup they got to the final. Then, at this year's UEFA Euro 2020 held in 2021, Spain made a breakthrough and reached the final four of an important competition for only the second time since the 2012 but losing to the eventual champions Italy in penalties. The team ended this tournament on top with two victories as well as four draw (including the penalties shootouts). The following year they reached their 2021 UEFA Nations League Final losing to France.

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Spanish team is often referred to by its fans by the name of "La The Furia Roji" that means Red Fury in Spanish. It is a reference to"The "Sack of Antwerp" - - a moment that was a part of the military history of Spainin the Spanish military history.  There are other nicknames that do not officially describe the Spanish national soccer team. Spain.

Another popular name, favored by fans is "Los Toros" (Fighting Bulls) because the Spanish Fighting Bull is among Spain's most famous national symbols and is often used to describe Spanish culture. It is frequently depicted by Spanish fans and supporters alike. Spanish football teams are known as the Bulls because of their cultural tradition.

Spanish team also have various nicknames, most notably "Toreros" as well as "Matador" Both definitions refer to Bullfighters in Spanish to refer to its romantic and passionate way of playing football.

In the spanish most successful period in the years 2008-2012 the team practiced a style of football known as 'tiki-taka", a systematic approach to football that is based on the concept of team unity as well as an understanding of the space geometry on the field of football.

Tiki-taka is described as "a method of play that is that is based on getting towards the back of the net using quick passing and movement" as it is a "short passing technique in which the ball is carefully worked through many channels" as well as it is a "nonsensical term that has evolved to mean quick passing, patience and possession over everything other things". The game involves a rooster-like movement and interplay between midfielders as well as the movement of the ball through intricate patterns, as well as precise, one-touch or two-touch passes. The tiki-taka style is "both offensive and defensive equally" The team remains in control, and does not need to switch between attacking and defending. The commentators have compared tiki-taka to "Route One Physicality" as well as the more brisk moving in Barcelona as well as Arsene Wenger's 2007/08 Arsenal team, which used Cesc Fabregas as the only way to connect attack and defence. Tiki-taka has been associated with flair as well as creativity and touch, however it can be applied to an "slow in a directionless, sluggish extreme" that compromises performance to enhance aesthetics.

Tiki-taka has been used for players of the Spanish National team in order to be the winner of UEFA Euro 2008, 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012. The current team is considered to be among the best international teams in the history of football.

They've got an Barcelona "carousel" consisting of Xavi And Andres Iniesta. They are joined By the Real Madrid's Xabi Alonso, who plays in the midfield.

--- Phil McNulty of the BBC on midfielders who are at the core of Spain's tiki taka passing method of playing.

Sid Lowe identifies Luis Aragones tempering of tiki-taka's style with practicality as a major factor that helped Spain win Euro 2008. Aragones utilized tiki-taka to "protect the defense that seemed to be insecure [...], keep possession and win games" without going towards "evangelical extremities". Six of Spain's initial goals of the tournament resulted from tiki-taka. Five were direct breaks and one was an established play. For Lowe the success of Spain in their 2010 World Cup was evidence of the convergence of two different styles in Spanish football The "powerful quick, aggressive, direct" style that earned the silver medal of the 1920 Antwerp Olympic team the nickname La Furia Roja ("The Red Fury") and the tiki-taka approach of the modern Spanish players, who focuses on a team-based, short-passing technique and possession-based games.

In analyzing Spain's semi-final win over Germany in the 2010 World Cup, Honigstein described the Spanish team's tiki taka style in terms of "the most difficult type of football that is possible with a tough passing game, accompanied by intense, high-pressure". According to Honigstein Tiki-taka is "a major improvement" in Total Football because it relies on ball movement instead of players changing positions. Tiki-taka was a way for Spain the ability to "control as well the ball as well as the opposition".

We share the same concept like each other. Maintain the ball, cause motion around and off the ball, and then enter the spaces and cause risk.

-- Xabi Alonso (Spanish midfielder).

Spain's kit is typically an orange jersey, with yellow trim with dark blue shorts and black socks, whereas their current kit for away matches is predominantly white. The color of socks changed through the 1990s in the 1990s, from dark black until the identical blue color as the shorts, which matched either the blue shorts , or red on the shirt, until mid-2010 which was when they returned to their original black. The Spanish kits were produced by various manufacturers, such as Adidas (from 1981 to 1982), Le Coq Sportif (from 1983 to in 1991) and Adidas time (since the year 1991). Instead of showing an image of the Spanish soccer federation, the Spain jerseys typically feature an emblem of Spain on one breast on the left. After the Spanish team won at the World Cup in 2010, the World Cup, the World Cup winners badge was added to the right side of the jersey, as well as gold stars were added at on top of the Spanish coat of arms.

Spain has no recognized national stadium. Capital city Madrid (Bernabeu as well as Metropolitano), Seville (Pizjuan, La Cartuja and Villamarin), Valencia (Mestalla and Orriols) and Barcelona (Camp Nou and Montjuic) comprise the five Spanish cities who have played host to more than 15 matches for the national team and are also the most crowded stadiums in Spain.

Other games for friends along with qualifying matches against smaller teams which are played in provincial stadiums. In 2018, the FIFA World Cup qualification campaign included games in the Reino of Leon of Leon, Los Carmenes in Granada, El Molinon in Gijon and El Molinon in Gijon and Rico Perez situated in Alicante.

Spanish UEFA European Qualifiers, as well as UEFA Nations League matches, and all games played in friendly matches from 2018 to 2022 will be broadcast across the country via La 1, flagship television channel of the public broadcaster TVE.

Spain has three major rivalries with other footballing nations.

The rivalry between them and Italy is sometimes called"the Mediterranean Derby, has been played since 1920 even though the two countries aren't geographically close however, their competition at the international level is amplified by the outstanding performance of their representative clubs in UEFA competitions, where both are part of the top teams and have experienced periods of dominance. Since the quarter-finals game between the two nations in Euro 2008, the rivalry has rekindled, with the most famous game between the two teams occurring during the UEFA Euro 2012 Final, that Spain took 4-0 victory.

Their battle with Portugal is often referred to in the Iberian Derby, is one of the most enduring football rivalries on a national level. It started on the 18th of December 1921 the day that Portugal suffered a 3-1 defeat to Spain in Madrid during their very first international friendly match. Portugal did not win their first games and drawing their initial match (2-2) was only in 1926. Portugal's first victory came further later (4-1) on the day of 1947. Both are among the top nations in football and have played at least 39 times (of which nine were played in a competitive manner) that resulted in 17 wins for Spain with 16 draws and six victories for Portugal.

Their relationship with France is another significant football team, is one of the longest-running on a national level. Spain as well as France have played 36 times. The first match was an 4-0 win for Spain during a friendly match in Bordeaux 30 April 1922. Their first match was in the UEFA Euro 1984 Final, which France was victorious to win the first major international trophy. Spain was the dominant team in the head-to head record with 16 wins with 13 losses, and seven draws, even though France has received more international glory than Spain.

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

2021

2022

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The following 24 players were called up for 2022–23 UEFA Nations League matches against Portugal, Czech Republic (twice), and Switzerland on 2, 5, 9, and 12 June 2022, respectively.

On the 25th of May Aymeric Laporte withdrew from the squad due to injury and was replaced by Diego Llorente.

On the 1st of June Thiago withdrew from the squad due to injury and was not replaced, leaving the squad with 24 players.

Information correct as of 12 June 2022, after the match against Czech Republic.

The following players have also been called up for the team in the last twelve months.

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Head coach: José Antonio Camacho

Head coach: Luis Aragonés

Coach: Vicente del Bosque

Coach: Vicente del Bosque

Coach: Fernando Hierro

Spain's final squad was announced on 21 May 2018. Coach Julen Lopetegui was sacked and replaced by Fernando Hierro on 13 June.

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Manager: Iñaki Sáez

Spain named their initial 23-man squad on 20 May 2004. Real Madrid right-back Michel Salgado was originally named in the squad but suffered a torn thigh muscle and was replaced by Deportivo La Coruña full-back Joan Capdevila.

Manager: Luis Aragonés

Manager: Vicente del Bosque

Vicente del Bosque named a squad to play in a set of warm-up matches on 15 May 2012, but it did not include any Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao or Chelsea players as the two Spanish sides were preparing for the Copa del Rey Final final on 25 May, while Chelsea were to take on Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League Final on 19 May. On 21 May 2012, Del Bosque called-up Chelsea players Fernando Torres and Juan Mata for the friendly matches. On 27 May, Del Bosque gave the final squad list, complete with Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao players.

Manager: Vicente del Bosque

Spain announced their final squad on 31 May. Héctor Bellerín replaced Dani Carvajal due to an injury suffered during the UEFA Champions League Final on 28 May.

Manager: Luis Enrique

Spain announced their final squad, containing 24 players rather than the allowed 26, on 24 May 2021. With the omission of Sergio Ramos, there were no Real Madrid players in the Spain squad for the first time in a major tournament. Sergio Busquets tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on 6 June, and was isolated while remaining in the squad.

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Head coach: Francisco Bru

Head coach:  Pedro Parages

Head coach: José Ángel Berraondo

Juan Errazquin was rejected by the organizing committee because his passport listed born in Argentina and had no documents to prove his Spanish nationality.

FIFA Confederations Cup squad for Year 2009 and Year 2013.

Head coach: Vicente del Bosque

Head coach: Vicente del Bosque

Del Bosque named his 23-man squad on 2 June 2013.

Manager: Luis Enrique

Spain's final squad was announced on 30 September 2021. Pedri withdrew injured and was replaced by Brais Méndez on 1 October. Marcos Llorente and Brais Méndez withdrew injured and were replaced by Bryan Gil and Sergi Roberto, respectively, on 3 October.

Sergio Ramos holds the record of the most appearances by the Spanish team, with 180 appearances from his first appearance in the team back in. The second-highest scorer is Iker Casillas who scored the highest number of appearances and then Xavi and Xavi with 133. 

David Villa holds the title of Spain's top goalscorer who scored 59 goals between 2005 until 2017. During that time, the team was Spain in 98 times. Raul Gonzalez is the second-highest goalscorer who scored 44 goals during 102 games between 1996 and 2006.

Between November 2006 to June 2009, Spain was undefeated for an unbeatable 35 consecutive games prior to their defeat by the United States in the Confederations Cup which is an achievement shared with Brazil and Italy and also an unprecedented fifteen-game win streak. At the 2010, FIFA World Cup, Spain was the first European nation to win the World Cup trophy outside Europe Along with Brazil, Germany and Argentina, Spain is one of the four teams from Spain that have been crowned this trophy at the FIFA World Cup outside its home continent.

Below is a list of the ten players with the most caps for Spain, as of 12 June 2022.

Players in bold are still active with Spain.

Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for Spain, as of 12 June 2022.

Players in bold are still active with Spain.

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

• 1920–29 José María Belauste (Midfielder) 
• 1930–39 Ricardo Zamora (Goalkeeper) 
• 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)

As of 14 June 2022

Manager	Nat	Spain career	G	W	D	L	GF	GA	Win %	Honours
Francisco Bru		1920	5	4	0	1	9	5	80%
Julián Ruete[a] Manuel de Castro		1921–1922	3	3	0	0	7	2	100%
Salvador Díaz[c] Manuel de Castro		1922	1	1	0	0	4	0	100%
Luis Argüello Joaquín Heredia David Ormaechea		1923	2	1	0	1	3	1	50%
José García Pedro Parages		1923–1924	2	1	1	0	3	0	50%
Pedro Parages		1924	1	0	0	1	0	1	0%
Luis Colina José Rosich Julián Olave		1924	1	1	0	0	2	1	100%
Fernando Gutiérrez		1925	3	3	0	0	6	0	100%
Ricardo Cabot Manuel de Castro José María Mateos		1925	2	2	0	0	2	0	100%
Ezequiel Montero José María Mateos Manuel de Castro		1926–1927	4[g]	3	0	1	9	6	75%
José Berraondo		1928	5	1	3	1	12	12	20%
José María Mateos		1929–1933	16	10	3	3	57	19	62.5%
Amadeo García		1934–1936	12	6	2	4	30	15	50%
Eduardo Teus		1941–1942	6	3	2	1	15	10	50%
Jacinto Quincoces		1945	2	1	1	0	6	4	50%
Pasarín		1946	1	0	0	1	0	1	0%
Pablo Hernández		1947	2	0	0	2	3	7	0%
Guillermo Eizaguirre		1948–1950	16	8	5	3	36	24	50%
Félix Quesada Luis Iceta Paulino Alcántara		1951	3	1	2	0	9	6	33.33%
Ricardo Zamora		1952	2	1	1	0	6	0	50%
Pedro Escartín		1952–1953	5	2	1	2	7	6	40%
Luis Iribarren		1953–1954	4	1	2	1	8	6	25%
Ramón Melcón		1955	2	0	1	1	2	3	0%
José Luis del Valle Emilio Jiménez Juan Touzón Pablo Hernández		1955	1	1	0	0	3	0	100%
Guillermo Eizaguirre		1955–1956	3	0	1	2	4	9	0%
Manuel Meana		1956–1959	12	7	3	2	35	16	58.33%
Helenio Herrera		1959–1960	6	5	0	1	22	10	83.33%
José Luis Costa José Luis Lasplazas Ramón Gabilondo		1960	6	3	0	3	13	11	50%
Pedro Escartín		1961	7	5	2	0	12	5	71.43%
Pablo Hernández Helenio Herrera		1962	3	1	0	2	2	3	33.33%
José Villalonga		1962–1966	22	9	5	8	35	28	40.91%	1964 European Nations' Cup
Domingo Balmanya		1966–1968	11	4	3	4	11	9	36.36%
Eduardo Toba		1968–1969	4	1	2	1	5	4	25%
Luis Molowny Salvador Artigas Miguel Muñoz		1969	4	2	1	1	3	3	50%
Ladislao Kubala		1969–1980	68	30	22	16	97	59	44.12%
José Santamaría		1980–1982	24	10	8	6	31	21	41.67%
Miguel Muñoz		1982–1988	59	30	15	14	101	57	50.85%
Luis Suárez		1988–1991	27	15	4	8	55	28	55.56%
Vicente Miera		1991–1992	8	4	2	2	11	7	50%
Javier Clemente		1992–1998	62	36	20	6	130	44	58.06%
José Antonio Camacho		1998–2002	44	28	9	7	105	37	63.64%
Iñaki Sáez		2002–2004	23	15	6	2	44	11	65.22%
Luis Aragonés		2004–2008	54	38	12	4	101	31	70.37%	UEFA Euro 2008
Vicente del Bosque		2008–2016	114	87	10	17	254	79	76.32%	2010 FIFA World Cup UEFA Euro 2012
Julen Lopetegui		2016–2018	20	14	6	0	61	13	70%
Fernando Hierro		2018	4	1	3	0	7	6	25%
Luis Enrique		2018–2019	7	5	0	2	19	9	71.43%
Robert Moreno		2019	9	7	2	0	29	4	77.78%
Luis Enrique		2019–	32	17	12	3	62	22	53.13%

Vicente del Bosque: 114

• Most consecutive wins (including friendlies): 15 (2008–2009)
• Most consecutive wins achieved by an international coach from debut: 13 – Vicente del Bosque
• Most penalty shoot-outs in one World Cup by one team: 2 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup (shared with  Argentina at the 1990 FIFA World Cup,  Netherlands and  Croatia at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and  Russia and  Croatia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup)
• Highest maximum number of points in World Cup qualification: 30 out of 30 (2010) (shared with  Germany for 2018)

Spain is one of only eight countries ever to have won the FIFA World Cup, doing so in South Africa in 2010, the first time the team had reached the final. The team is one of the most present at the World Cup finals, with 16 appearances out of the 22 tournaments.

*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Nations League record
League phase												Finals
Season	LG	GP	Pos	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	P/R		Year	Pos	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA	Squad
2018–19	A	4	2nd	4	2	0	2	12	7			2019	Did not qualify
2020–21	A	4	1st	6	3	2	1	13	3			2021	2nd	2	1	0	1	3	3	Squad
2022–23	A	2	To be determined									2023	To be determined
Total				12	6	2	4	28	13	—	Total		2	1	0	1	3	3	—