Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup as the middle tournament of a run of three: the European Championship in 2008, the World Cup in 2010, the European Championship again in 2012. Before that run the shelf held one continental title, from 1964, and an Olympic gold from Barcelona in 1992. The team went on to win the European Championship in 2024 and the World Cup a second time in 2026.
The route to that point began with an official match on 28 August 1920 against Denmark, won 1–0. The Olympic tournament in Antwerp followed within days, and the side came home with silver. The Royal Spanish Football Federation already existed by then. It was founded on 29 September 1913 with King Alfonso XIII as honorary president, after an earlier federation, formed in 1909, had been dissolved.
The nickname La Roja comes from the red shirt, worn with blue shorts and red socks. The away kit is white. The Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, rebuilt to hold 83,186, is where the biggest matches most often go.
Sergio Ramos holds the appearance record with 180 caps. Iker Casillas, in goal, made 167. David Villa scored 59 goals, more than anyone else who has worn the shirt.
Olympic silver has come three times, in 1920, 2000 and 2020, against the single gold.