Spain's Next Challenge After Winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Spain has its first fixtures set after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The world champions are ready to begin a new challenge in the UEFA Nations League, with demanding away trips, historic homecomings, and the mission of winning the only major trophy still missing from their collection.
Spain Nears Its First Major Test After Winning the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup title has only just become part of history, and Spain already has a new objective on the horizon. Luis de la Fuente's side will put the celebrations behind them as they embark on a demanding UEFA Nations League campaign, a competition that offers the perfect opportunity to prove their success in North America was no one-off achievement.
According to the official competition schedule, La Roja will play four matches between late September and early October, taking on three formidable opponents: England, Croatia, and Czechia. Their campaign begins at none other than Wembley Stadium, where the world champions will immediately be tested against one of Europe's elite.
Wembley Will Be the World Champions' First Major Test
Spain's opening fixture comes on September 26, when they travel to face England in one of the standout matches of the group stage. The encounter pits two of Europe's strongest national teams against each other and adds another chapter to a rivalry that has grown increasingly intense in recent years.
Three days later, on September 29, Spanish fans will witness a historic occasion. La Roja will play its first home match as world champion when it hosts Croatia at Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán, a venue the national team will return to for the first time since March 2015.
That previous visit ended in a 1-0 victory over Ukraine, leaving fond memories at the Seville stadium. This time, however, the atmosphere will be entirely different, as supporters welcome the team home for the first time since lifting football's biggest prize.
Historic Returns and a Schedule That Leaves No Room for Relaxation
Spain's schedule continues on October 3, when they host Czechia at Nuevo Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo.
The last time La Roja played at the venue was in 2015, when they defeated Slovakia 2-0 during qualification for the UEFA European Championship. Now, the team returns as reigning world champions, carrying the responsibility of maintaining the standard that has made them the dominant force in international football.
The first international window concludes on October 6, when Spain travels to face Croatia once again, wrapping up a demanding four-match stretch that will provide an early measure of the new world champions' competitive level.
The group stage will then resume in November, with the remaining fixtures against Czechia and England, completing all six matchdays in Group A3.
The Nations League Represents Spain's Next Major Mission
Spain's recent success has significantly raised expectations surrounding the project led by Luis de la Fuente. Under his leadership, La Roja has enjoyed one of the most successful eras in its modern history, winning the 2022-23 UEFA Nations League, UEFA Euro 2024, and now the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Even so, the UEFA Nations League still represents unfinished business for this squad. Although Spain lifted the trophy a few years ago, it failed to defend the title in the most recent edition, losing the final to Portugal in a penalty shootout.
The schedule offers no opportunity for a gradual return to action. In the span of just two weeks, Spain will face Croatia twice, visit England at Wembley, and look to make the most of home advantage against Czechia.
