The Spanish national team arrived at the 2026 World Cup as a serious candidate for the title after winning the Euro 2024. The Spanish team started with a draw against Cape Verde and since then has counted its games by victories, growing in the same magnitude as its game that reached the maximum level in the semifinal against France. However, the challenge ahead is huge: Spain will try to repeat a feat that only achieved that irreproachable generation led by names like Iniesta, Xavi or Casillas. And they will have to do it against the current world champion, the Argentine team of Leo Messi, who has not lost a final-phase elimination since 2019, in what is a prepandemic phase of Scaloni's team that has seen how since 2021 counts its elimination games by victories. His record since then (2 Copa América and 1 World Cup) is enviable.
How many World Cups has Spain won?
In their trophy cases, there is only one World Cup title, the one from South Africa 2010. It was a special edition, since Spain arrived as a favorite after having been proclaimed European champion in 2008, although it started the tournament with an unexpected stumble: a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland in the opening game. That final in Johannesburg was decided by Iniesta's goal in the 116th minute of extra time, so much that it gave Spain its first and only World Cup trophy.
How many World Cup finals has Spain played?
Only one. The 2010 one is still the only time Spain has reached the decisive game of a World Cup. Before that achievement, their best result had been a fourth-place finish in the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, a tournament that, by the way, did not have a proper final, but a final phase between the best teams. This makes Spain share a statistical curiosity with England: both have won a World Cup, but only played one final in their entire history.
Spain, in another final
Luis de la Fuente's team has managed to reach the final of the 2026 World Cup. After a stumble against Cape Verde, like in South Africa 2010 against Switzerland, Spain has managed to win all its subsequent games and will play for the second star on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
Total palmares of La Roja
In addition to the 2010 World Cup, Spain has achieved more trophies for its trophy cases. Most of its titles are from its recent history in modern football. - 1 World Cup (2010) - 4 European Cups (1964, 2008, 2012, 2024) - 1 Nations League (2023)
The Spanish national team is in an excellent position in the 2026 World Cup, with a record of 5 consecutive victories and 7 points in the classification. They lead the competition with a 4-point advantage over Cape Verde. In their last game, they defeated Argentina 1-0 on July 19. Their next game will be against England on September 26 in a group stage game. Spain seeks its second star in the 2026 World Cup, after winning its only World Cup title in South Africa 2010.
