Spain

🌍 World Cup Story

Spain's golden era in world football is unmatched in recent history: they won three consecutive major tournaments — Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012 — an unprecedented treble. The 2010 World Cup triumph in South Africa, with Iniesta's extra-time winner in the final against the Netherlands, was the culmination of a decade of "tiki-taka" perfection built around Xavi, Iniesta, and the Barcelona philosophy. After a dip (group stage exit in 2014 as holders), they reached the last 16 in 2018 and the quarterfinals in 2022. Euro 2024, won in Germany, showed a new Spain built around the extraordinary 16-year-old Lamine Yamal — possibly the most talented teenager in football history — and the controlling genius of Rodri. They arrive in 2026 as many experts' favourites.