Commonly referred to as La Roja (The Red One), La Furia Roja (The Red Fury), La Furia Española (The Spanish Fury) or simply La Furia (The Fury), Spain became a member of FIFA in 1904 even though the Spanish Football Federation was first established in 1909. Since then, the Spanish national team has participated in a total of 14 of 20 FIFA World Cups and 10 of 15 UEFA European Championships.

Between November 2006 and June 2009, Spain went undefeated for a record of 35 consecutive matches before their upset loss to the United States. The team’s achievements have led many commentators, experts and former players to consider the 2010 and 2012 Spanish team among the best ever international teams in world football.

 

First game: Spain vs Portugal (15/06)

Star: Sergio Ramos

Internationally, Ramos represented the Spanish national team at three World Cups and three European Championships. He won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA Euro in 2008 and 2012. He made his first appearance at the age of 18 and, in 2013, he became the nation’s youngest player to ever reach 100 caps. He is the nation’s second-most capped player. Sergio Ramos is regarded by many as one of the best defenders in the world. He was named to the FIFPro World XI eight times, which is a record for a any defender. Ramos was named La Liga’s Best Defender four times.

 

Coach: Julen Lopetegui

Julen Lopetegui Argote is a former goalkeeper who is now the manager of the spainish national team. He played 149 games in La Liga over 11 seasons, appearing in the competition for Real Madrid, Logroñés, Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano. He added 168 matches in Segunda División with three clubs, and represented Spain at the 1994 World Cup.

Lopetegui started working as a manager in 2003, where he spent several years in charge of Spain’s youth teams, leading the under-19 and under-21 sides to European titles.

 

Group: Portugal, Morocco, IR Iran.