Sixteen titles in five years - why Spain are a dominant force

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Sixteen titles in five years - why Spain are a dominant force Figure caption, Spain dominate Argentina to win World Cup after extra timeByNeil Johnston Sport journalist in New YorkPublished40 minutes agoSpain have done it again. After being crowned European champions two years ago in Berlin, La Roja are now world champions having beaten Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday. They achieved the same feat back in 2010, two years after winning Euro 2008.

Spain's latest success continues their remarkable dominance in the men's and women's game. They are the first nation to be men's and women's World Cup winners at the same time – La Roja overcoming England in the Women's World Cup final in Sydney in 2023. The men won the Nations League in 2023 and gold at the 2024 Olympics, while the women won the Nations League in both 2024 and 2025.

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In fact, in the last five years, Spain have now won an astonishing 16 world and European titles from under-17 to senior level. "It is a dominance," Spanish football expert Guillem Balague told Sport. "It's like the perfect storm.

Culturally, we do things a certain way. Everybody believes in it. The important thing is that we don't stop.

"It's another Everest because the men won the World Cup in 2010 two years after winning the Euros. Now we've done it again. "Spain's winning machineWomen's football (11 titles 2022-2026)Senior: 1 x World Cup (2023); 2 x Nations Leagues (2024, 2025).

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Under-20: 1 x World Cup (2022). Under-19: 5 x Under-19 European champions (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026). Under-17: 1 x World Cup (2022); 1 x European champions (2024).

Men's football (5 titles 2022-2026)Senior: 1 x World Cup (2026); 1 x European champions (2024); 1 x Nations League (2023). Under-23: 1 x Olympic gold medal winners (2024). Under-19: 1 x European champions (2026).

'It was risky to appoint De La Fuente'When Spain appointed Luis de la Fuente as head coach in December 2022, few expected him to deliver the Nations League (2023), European Championship (2024) and World Cup (2026) in so short a time frame. Spain had just been knocked out of the World Cup by Morocco in the last 16 in Qatar and the federation needed a replacement after Luis Enrique left his role. "They went with this guy who understood the style and the system," added Balague.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.