Is Spain now the fifth-greatest national team in world football history?

After defeating Argentina in the final, Spain secured its second world title, drawing level with France and Uruguay in that category.

However, its extraordinary continental record and the dominance it has displayed throughout much of the 21st century have raised a much broader question: Can Spain now be considered the fifth-greatest national team of all time?

The four powers that appear to sit at the top

Brazil leads the standings with five World Cup titles, while Germany and Italy have won four each. Argentina, following its triumph in Qatar in 2022, has three stars.

Those achievements would place Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina in an elite historical group, although the order may vary depending on factors such as finals reached, consistency, continental titles and the impact of each generation.

The real debate begins immediately after them.

Spain enters the battle for fifth place

La Roja is also the most successful team in European Championship history, with four titles won in 1964, 2008, 2012 and 2024. Its most recent triumph made Spain the first nation to reach that total in the continental tournament.

That record also includes the 2023 UEFA Nations League, which Spain won after defeating Croatia in a penalty shootout.

When the major international tournaments are taken into account, Spain now has two World Cups, four European Championships and one Nations League, a trophy haul that strengthens its case against every national team outside the group of four historic leaders.

The inevitable comparison with France

Les Bleus also have two World Cups, won in 1998 and 2018, as well as two European Championships and one Nations League.

Spain, however, holds a significant advantage in European titles and can now also boast of having won two World Cups with completely different generations.

La Roja won its first star in 2010 and lifted the trophy again in 2026, confirming that its success was not limited to the generation led by Xavi Hernández, Andrés Iniesta, Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.

The new generation coached by Luis de la Fuente managed to build an era of its own, led by players such as Rodri, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Dani Olmo and Unai Simón.

Uruguay retains the weight of history

Uruguay is also part of the battle for fifth place thanks to its World Cup triumphs in 1930 and 1950.

La Celeste also possesses an extraordinary continental tradition and was one of the first major powers in international football.

Its main disadvantage in this debate is the amount of time that has passed since its greatest achievements. Uruguay has not won a World Cup since 1950 and has not returned to a World Cup final since that historic victory over Brazil at the Maracanã.

Spain, on the other hand, has won both of its titles in the 21st century and has remained among the elite far more consistently in recent years.

What criteria define greatness?

There is no official ranking that determines which national teams are the greatest in history.

Under criteria based exclusively on World Cup titles, Spain would be level with France and Uruguay.

However, when its four European Championships, Nations League title and consistency throughout the 21st century are added to the equation, La Roja has enough arguments to be placed above both of them.

Is Spain already the fifth-greatest national team?

The answer remains open to interpretation, but Spain has never had as strong a case as it does now.

Its second World Cup eliminated one of the main differences separating it from France and Uruguay, while its continental dominance gives it a considerable advantage over both national teams.

Spain still trails Brazil, Germany, Italy and Argentina in total World Cup titles, but its complete trophy haul supports the argument that it now occupies the next level.

History cannot always be summarized in a table. However, following its latest World Cup triumph, it is becoming increasingly difficult to leave La Roja outside the group of the five greatest national teams football has ever known.