Luis Enrique and his Spain squad approached the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with Group E opponents Costa Rica, Germany and Japan. The national team, known simply as La Roja, had their eyes on a tournament staged far from home, and they prepared with a quiet sense of purpose as the squad assembled in late autumn after a long period of international fixtures and training camps.
When were the last games played?
In the June 2022 international window, Spain played four matches in the UEFA Nations League group stage. They topped their group by defeating the Czech Republic 2-0 and Switzerland 0-1 while drawing 1-1 with Portugal at home and drawing 2-2 with the Czechs in Prague. In September, the Swiss faced them again in a competitive setting, a 2-1 loss in La Romareda followed by wins over Portugal (0-1) and a comfortable friendly victory against Jordan (3-1) as part of the team’s ongoing build-up amid limited time together before the tournament.
The squad announcement
Luís Enrique named his final 26-man squad on November 11, 2022, fresh for the journey to Qatar and the World Cup that awaited a week later. The list featured a balanced mix of veterans and emerging talents, ready to represent Spain on football’s biggest stage.
The squad selections included:
keepers: Unai Simón, Robert Sánchez and David Raya.
defenders: Dani Carvajal, César Azpilicueta, Eric García, Hugo Guillamón, Pau Torres, Aymeric Laporte, Alejandro Balde, Jordi Alba.
midfielders: Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Gavi, Carlos Soler, Marcos Llorente, Pedri, Koke.
forwards: Ferran Torres, Nico Williams, Yeremy Pino, Álvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Pablo Sarabia, Dani Olmo and Ansu Fati.
Spain’s World Cup schedule and progress
Spain advanced to the World Cup in Qatar by earning direct qualification, thereby skipping the playoff rounds. In their first group match, La Roja produced a stunning 7-0 victory against Costa Rica on November 23, 2022, signaling a bold start to the campaign. The second group game against Germany ended in a 1-1 draw, and the final group match concluded with a loss to Japan, yet Spain still progressed to the knockout rounds as runners-up in the group.
From there, the team moved into the knockout phase and were set to meet Morocco in the round of 16, with the match scheduled for December 6 at 4 p.m. local time. The World Cup calendar itself included the later stages, with the final rounds set for December, bringing the tournament to a close for all 32 participating nations.
The Nations League schedule for the period around the World Cup included a final draw and subsequent fixtures: the semi-final was slated for mid-June 2023, with the final and third-place match planned for June 18, 2023. Additional playoffs were scheduled for March 2024, keeping the competitive flame burning beyond the tournament itself.
Spain’s journey in Qatar was watched closely by fans across Europe and North America, as a squad historically associated with technical prowess and resilience pursued glory on a world stage that rarely fails to surprise. The performances in the group stage and the road to the knockout rounds provided moments of brilliance and tough lessons alike, in a tournament remembered for its dramatic twists and memorable results.