Spain punches ticket to 13th straight World Cup and arrives in North America as a terrifying contender

Spain is World Cup -bound once again - but this time, they're not just qualifying. They're arriving as one of the most complete and dangerous national teams on the planet.

With Tuesday's draw against Turkey in Seville, La Roja officially clinched their 13th consecutive World Cup appearance, extending a streak that began all the way back in Argentina 1978.

Nearly 50 years later, Spain remains a permanent fixture on football's biggest stage - and a nation with legitimate ambitions to lift the trophy on North American soil in 2026. And they did so following a flawless road to the international tournament.

Spain's qualifying campaign was nothing short of dominant

Spain finish undefeated with five wins, one draw and 21 goals scored, with just two goals conceded. In Europe , only Germany boasts a longer run of consecutive World Cup qualifications (19). Globally, only Brazil - the lone nation to appear in all 22 tournaments - owns a more impressive streak.

Next summer's expanded 48-team World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada , will mark Spain 's 23rd appearance. And they'll enter the tournament with all the signs of a true title favorite.

Spain debuted their crisp new kit Tuesday night - the same one they'll wear at the 2026 World Cup - and they christened it in style. Just minutes into the match, Marc Cucurella delivered a perfect ball into the box and Dani Olmo buried it, becoming the first player to score in Spain's new colors.

Turkey equalized late in the first half and then stunned Spain by taking a 2-1 lead early after the break, but La Roja' s quality eventually took over. Mikel Oyarzabal - Spain's most reliable scorer under manager Luis de la Fuente - pounced on a rebound to level the match with his 16th goal of the De la Fuente era.

Spain pushed to find a late winner, even putting the ball in the net in the final moments through Fermín López, but VAR ruled the goal offside. Still, the 1-1 draw was enough to finish the campaign unbeaten and secure top spot in the group.

Why Spain are World Cup favorites

This Spanish squad is built like a champion. And for the first time in years, it feels like all the pieces are clicking together. An elite goalkeeper in Unai Simón, who continues to prove he's one of the best shot-stoppers in Europe, keeping Spain steady in high-pressure moments.

A disciplined, athletic defense: with rising talents like Pau Cubarsí and stars like Dani Carvajal and Aymeric Laporte , Spain's back line is deep, flexible, and tough to break down. A midfield built for total football: Rodri - arguably the best midfielder in the world - leads a unit stacked with intelligence, control, and technique. When Spain dominate possession, they're almost impossible to disrupt.

Forwards who can blow games open: This is where Spain 's newfound swagger comes from. Lamine Yamal, the teenage prodigy already dazzling at FC Barcelona Nico Williams Jr., an explosive winger who can punish any defense Dani Olmo, Oyarzabal, and Ferran Torres offering depth, goals, and versatility. Spain no longer rely solely on intricate buildup play - they have speed, chaos, and creativity on the wings that defenses simply cannot match.