Spain national football team
Mens national football team.
The Spain national football team, known as La Roja (The Red One) or La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), represents Spain in international football competitions. It is governed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), the governing body for football in Spain. The team is a member of UEFA in Europe and FIFA globally. The team's colors, red and yellow, are derived from the Spanish flag. They are colloquially referred to as La Selección (The Selection) and Los Toros (The Bulls).
Since their first international match in 1920, La Roja has established itself as one of the most successful national teams in football history. They have qualified for most major tournaments and achieved remarkable success, particularly in the 21st century. At the World Cup, Spain has won the title once (2010) and reached the fourth place once (1950). They have also secured three European Championship titles (1964, 2008, 2012), creating a historic streak of three consecutive major tournament victories between 2008 and 2012.
Spain's golden era began with their Euro 2008 victory, followed by their first World Cup triumph in 2010 and another Euro win in 2012. This period of dominance was characterized by their tiki-taka style of play, emphasizing possession, short passing, and movement. Players like Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, and Sergio Ramos were instrumental in these successes. Iniesta won the UEFA Euro 2012 Player of the Tournament award, while several Spanish players have been included in World Cup All-Star Teams.
La Roja has consistently ranked among the top teams in the FIFA World Rankings, reaching the number one spot for the first time in 2008 and holding it for several years. Their style of play has been influential in modern football, with many teams and coaches attempting to emulate their possession-based approach. The team's success has had a significant impact on Spanish football culture, inspiring a generation of young players and contributing to the development of world-class talent.