The Anthem
Marcha Real
▶ Listen on YouTube ↗“(instrumental — no official lyrics)”
One of only a few national anthems in the world with no official words.
The Legends
Names that echo
Andrés Iniesta
Midfielder · 2000s–10s
Scorer of the goal that won Spain its only World Cup, in 2010.
Xavi
Midfielder · 2000s–10s
The metronome of tiki-taka and Spain's golden era.
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper · 2000s–10s
'San Iker'; the captain who lifted the 2010 trophy.
Fun Facts
Worth knowing
- 01
Spain's 'Marcha Real' has no official lyrics — fans simply hum or 'la-la' along.
- 02
Between 2008 and 2012, Spain won the Euros, the World Cup and the Euros again — an unprecedented treble.
- 03
Its 2010 triumph was built on the tiki-taka passing style that reshaped world football.
At the World Cup
The story so far
Long the great underachievers, Spain finally conquered the world in 2010 with a possession game so beautiful it changed how football is taught. A perennial favorite ever since.
Iniesta, in the 116th minute
Andrés Iniesta's extra-time winner against the Netherlands gave Spain its first and only world title.
Group Stage