How will Spain fare at the 2022 World Cup? Join @SamRCox_ as he looks at the European giants in his everything you need to know guide ahead of this winter's competition...
Spain History at the World Cup
Spain have qualified for every World Cup since 1974, winning the tournament for a first and only time in 2010.
The triumph in South Africa was the first time they had reached the last four since 1950, contributing to a reputation of underachieving when the pressure was on.
The World Cup in 2010 was shrouded in controversy, with the Netherlands employing aggressive tactics in an attempt to disrupt the Spaniards.
Nigel De Jong was infamously not sent off for a wild foul on Xabi Alonso, and eight different Oranje players ended up in the referee’s notebook.
Spain's World Cup jerseys over the years 👕
— GOAL India (@Goal_India) October 7, 2022
Which is your favourite? 👇 pic.twitter.com/iGAKJ7Tr5y
Spain dominated the ball, but had to wait until late in extra time, when Andres Iniesta became a national hero with the winning goal.
Of course, Spain also lifted the Euros either side of that World Cup win, proving themselves as one of the greatest national teams ever.
Major disappointment followed that glory, though, with a group stage exit in 2014 and a penalty shootout defeat to Russia in the last 16 in 2018.
Across 15 World Cup entries, Brazil are the team Spain have faced most frequently. In their five matchups, Spain have only won once, which came back in 1934. Paraguay, Switzerland and Chile are the only teams they have more than one win against.
Spain Nickname
Spain are usually referred to as La Roja, or ‘The Red One’ in English.
With their trademark red kits, it doesn’t take a great deal of brain power to figure out why. Fans might also hear La Furia Roja, meaning ‘Red Fury’, which is a nod to a famous moment in Spanish military history.
Other variants are also used, many of which have links to bullfighting and matadors.
World Cup 2022 Group
Spain are the betting favourites to progress from Group E despite being drawn alongside Germany. They will expect to win comprehensively against both Japan and Costa Rica.
La Furia Roja have won their last two against Costa Rica, and beat Japan the only time the teams met back in 2001.
Spain Fixtures:
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Spain vs Costa Rica - 23rd November 2022
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Spain vs Germany - 27th November 2022
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Spain vs Japan - 1st December 2022
Spain Kit World Cup 2022
The deep red of Spain’s home kits is iconic, and it’s hard to get it wrong. Adidas have produced a classical looking home attire, with navy and gold detailing around the collar, plus piping and a navy area down the sides.
The away version divides opinion, with an almost psychedelic light-blue pattern. They have stuck with red and yellow for the logo, matching the colour scheme for the Adidas stripes along the shoulders and sleeves.
Spain followed Germany and Belgium in wearing their women's team's kit to show support ahead of Women's Euro 2022 in July 🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/FI6wSXNhBS
— GOAL (@goal) June 12, 2022
Who is The Spain Manager?
Luis Enrique is the Spain manager for the 2022 World Cup.
Named FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2015, Enrique guided Barcelona to the Champions League in 2014-15, and was in charge as Spain finished runners-up in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.
He has the lowest winning percentage of any La Roja manager since the 1960s, but don’t be fooled, Enrique is an elite manager capable of taking the Spaniards on a deep run in Qatar.
Best Spain Player
This Spain squad might not have the extreme depths of talent that the groups did between 2008 and 2014, but this is still a collection of top-tier players.
There is no standout star – Sergio Busquets is probably the most well-known, while Liverpool’s Thiago is very familiar to followers of Premier League predictions.
Barcelona’s ascendant teenage duo of Gavi and Pedri could well be Spain’s best players at this winter’s World Cup and for the next decade.
Thiago and Rodri in Spain training 🤯
— GOAL (@goal) June 5, 2021
We could watch this all day 😍pic.twitter.com/Pi2iDXRdMV
Spain Odds at 2022 World Cup
Spain are not among the inner-circle of World Cup odds favourites like some previous tournaments, but they are certainly a contender at 15/2 to lift the trophy. La Roja are expected to reach the last eight with an implied probability of 60%.
The only time Spain have made it past the last 16 since 2002 was when they won the tournament in 2010.
Unlike other top nations, they do not have a leading candidate for the Golden Boot, with Alvaro Morata given the shortest odds at 40s.
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