Spain, third European champion nation to win next
By OnzeActu · · 5 min read
Spain joins West Germany (1972→1974) and itself (2008→2010) in the pantheon of nations having won the Euro then the World Cup during the following cycle.
According to Vi.
Context
Spain, after winning Euro 2024, confirmed its status as football leader by winning the 2026 World Cup. This success is part of a prestigious lineage, alongside West Germany, which achieved the same feat in the 1970s. The players of this Spanish generation, known for their possession game, knew how to make the difference during decisive moments.
Why it matters
Spain's victory at the 2026 World Cup strengthens its position as a power in world football, having also won Euro 2024. This Euro-World Cup double underlines the excellence of its game and its impact on the footballing landscape, particularly in view of the 2026 World Cup. Spain thus joins a very small club, made up of nations having achieved this feat, which further enhances its prestige.
Key points
- Spain, third European champion nation to win next.
- Spain joins West Germany (1972→1974) and itself (2008→2010) in the pantheon of nations having won the Euro then the World Cup during the following cycle.
- Spanish of EK-winnaar die direct daarna het WK wint.
Spain can now boast of being not only the best team in Europe, but also the best in the world: after its coronation at Euro 2024, La Roja confirmed it by winning the 2026 World Cup final against Argentina. This Euro → World Cup double is an exceptional fact in the history of international football: before the Spanish performance, this had only happened twice, and with historical singularity.
The first example dates back to the 1970s and concerns West Germany. In 1972, the FRG won the title of European champion by beating the Soviet Union 3-0 in the final, a match marked by a double from Gerd Müller. Two years later, the same German generation fulfilled its global ambition by triumphing at the 1974 World Cup, winning 2-1 against the Netherlands in the final - an edition where Gerd Müller scored the decisive goal which gave victory to his team.
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The second occurrence concerns the same Spain which has just achieved the feat in 2026. After its success at Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland – final won 1-0 against Germany thanks to a goal from Fernando Torres – the Spanish selection confirmed two years later at the 2010 World Cup by beating the Netherlands in the final with a decisive achievement from Andrés Iniesta. This generation had left its mark with its possession play and its effectiveness in major events.
The fact that Spain achieved this double again 16 years later underlines the difficulty and rarity of the exercise. Euro and World Cup are competitions with different formats, rhythms and stakes; stringing together the two titles requires a generation of very high level players, a solid organization and an ability to manage pressure over several years.
The new Spanish coronation in 2026, obtained against Argentina in the final, is therefore part of a very limited line of teams having dominated both Europe and the world over the same period. For the Spanish selection, it is the confirmation of a successful cycle and the rewriting of an important page in its footballing history. For world football, this double reminds us that the transition from the status of king of Europe to that of world champion remains a rare and precious feat.
The rest
With this victory, Spain is preparing to defend its title in the next international competitions, while looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup. The performances of key players, who have shone during this journey, will be crucial to maintain the level of excellence. Expectations are high for the upcoming season, both at club and national team level, as Spain aim to retain their champion status.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina?
The article does not provide scores for the 2026 World Cup final.
How does Spain's victory at the 2026 World Cup impact the team rankings?
The article does not mention the direct impact on the team rankings following Spain's victory.
When is Spain's next match after winning the 2026 World Cup?
The article
He does not specify the date of Spain's next match.
What are the previous Euro and World Cup doubles achieved by other teams?
The article mentions that West Germany achieved a double in 1972 and 1974, and that Spain did so in 2008 and 2010.
Who scored the decisive goals in Spain and West Germany's previous doubles?
Fernando Torres scored the decisive goal for Spain in 2008, and Gerd Müller scored the decisive goal for West Germany in 1974.
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