If the Spanish Men’s National Team pulls off a World Cup victory on Sunday, the Spanish football federation would make history as the first to bring home successive World Cup championships on both the men’s and women’s sides in the tournament’s history.
The women’s team won the 2023 World Cup and will enter next year’s tournament in Brazil as defending champions. While the men’s team has been a perennial contender, appearing in 17 out of 23 World Cup tournaments, they last lifted the trophy back in 2010.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup has a much shorter history than its male counterpart, having started in 1991 compared to 1930 for the men. During that time, it has only had five different champions: the United States, Germany, Norway, Japan, and Spain. Notably, only two of those teams, Germany and Spain, have also won the men’s World Cup.
The Spanish System
Spain boasts a robust men’s soccer league system, led by the Campeonato Nacional de Liga de Primera División, more commonly known as La Liga. Its teams consistently rank among the top in Europe, with clubs like Real Madrid and FC Barcelona standing out. Real Madrid is one of the world’s most successful soccer clubs, while FC Barcelona is the third-most valuable soccer club in the world. Argentina’s Lionel Messi broke Brazilian legend Pelé’s record for most goals scored for a single club while playing for Barcelona. For diehard soccer fans, trips to Barcelona’s Camp Nou have reached near-pilgrimage status.
Franck Fife / AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP via Getty Images
Despite its recent successes, Spanish women’s soccer has historically lagged behind, with both the league and national team plagued by poor coaching, underinvestment, and abuse. In 2015, the entire Women’s World Cup squad successfully called for the removal of coach Ignacio Quereda, whose leadership since 1988 led many female players to accuse the Royal Spanish Football Federation of indifference towards the women’s team. Even before the 2015 tournament, some longtime national team players stated they refused to return to international duty as long as Quereda remained in charge.
In a 2021 documentary, “Romper el silencio,” players alleged that Quereda sexually harassed and verbally abused them. In the lead-up to Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup victory, players again called for improvements to the women’s national team training and resources, with 15 players asking not to receive a national team call-up until the federation made necessary changes.
After Spain’s victory, federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed forward Jenni Hermoso, alongside other alleged indecent behavior. The entire Women’s World Cup squad stood behind Hermoso, calling for the removal of Rubiales and national team coach Jorge Vilda, who supported Rubiales. This incident turned the international spotlight and goodwill from their 2023 victory into a rallying cry that highlighted the poor treatment of female players.
Rubiales was subsequently suspended for three years and later tried and found guilty of sexual assault. Members of the current Spanish men’s World Cup squad supported Hermoso and the other Spanish players in the wake of the Rubiales incident. Striker Borja Iglesias even refused to play for the Spanish federation until Rubiales was removed.
In a viral moment on Tuesday, he found Hermoso on the sidelines after Spain defeated France in the World Cup semifinal, and they shared a heartfelt hug.
Spain will face Argentina at 3 PM ET on Sunday in New Jersey.
Madeline Fox is News Director at KCUR. For more World Cup coverage from KCUR, check out Soccer City 2026.
Copyright 2026 KCUR
