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Spain’s remarkable trophy run reaches 17 world and European titles
Spain have added another World Cup to an extraordinary period of success, with their men’s and women’s teams and youth sides collecting 17 world and European titles over the past five years, according to the supplied record.
The latest achievement came as the Under-20 women won the World Cup, extending a sequence that now covers almost every age group.
Spain’s senior men became world champions this summer after a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final in New Jersey. That followed their European Championship triumph in Berlin two years ago.
The success has revived memories of Spain’s previous golden era, when they won Euro 2008, their first World Cup in 2010 and Euro 2012.
The men also won the Nations League in 2023 and Olympic gold in 2024, while the Under-19 side became European champions in 2026.
Spain’s women won their first senior World Cup in 2023 by beating England in Sydney. It was only their third appearance at the tournament, following their debut in 2015.
They have since won consecutive Nations League titles in 2024 and 2025. Spain also became the first country to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time.
A record of success across the age groups
The women’s teams have won 11 titles between 2022 and 2026.
The senior side has claimed one Women’s World Cup, in 2023, and two Nations League titles, in 2024 and 2025.
At Under-20 level, Spain have won the Women’s World Cup in 2022 and 2026. The Under-19 team has won five UEFA Women’s Under-19 European Championships in succession, from 2022 to 2026.
The Under-17 side has also won the U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2022 and the UEFA Women’s Under-17 European Championship in 2024.
The men’s teams have collected five titles between 2022 and 2026: the 2026 World Cup, Euro 2024, the 2023 Nations League, Olympic gold in 2024 and the 2026 European Under-19 Championship.
De la Fuente’s influence
Luis de la Fuente’s work with the men’s senior team has been central to the transformation. Appointed in December 2022 after Spain were eliminated by Morocco at the World Cup, he was viewed by some as a risky choice because he had not managed one of Europe’s elite clubs.
However, his previous roles with the Under-19s, Under-21s and Olympic team gave him detailed knowledge of many players who later became senior internationals. Spain won the Nations League, European Championship and World Cup during his first four years in charge.
De la Fuente, 65, has emphasised patience, respect and calmness, while reminding his players that success does not mean their work is complete.
Spain’s victory over England in the Nations League on Saturday extended their unbeaten run to 39 matches in all competitions, a record for a European or South American men’s national team.
Spanish influence also remains strong in club management. At least a quarter of the managers who began the 2026-27 Premier League season were Spanish, despite Pep Guardiola leaving Manchester City after a decade of trophies.
Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi won their first World Cup winners’ medals at the age of 19. Spain’s women are also producing teenage talent, suggesting the system behind the senior teams is continuing to supply players ready to compete for more titles.