Spain Secures Its Place in Eternity

Spain conquered the world once again, 16 years after its first triumph. Luis de la Fuente's side were crowned FIFA World Cup 2026 champions in New Jersey, producing one of the most remarkable achievements in football history. By defeating Argentina in the final, Spain extended its unbeaten streak to 38 consecutive matches, the longest ever recorded by any men's national team.

Spain Returns to the Top of the FIFA Rankings

The World Cup triumph has also seen Spain reclaim No. 1 in the FIFA World Rankings, returning to the summit of international football after lifting the trophy.

The previous record belonged to Italy, whose run of 37 consecutive unbeaten matches between 2018 and 2021 was officially recognised by Guinness World Records. From today, however, that record belongs to Spain. Fittingly, it was broken on football's grandest stage—in a World Cup final against the reigning champions, as Spain claimed its second world title.

It was, in fact, Spain who ended Italy's unbeaten run on 6 October 2021 with a 2–1 victory in Milan in the semi-finals of the UEFA Nations League. Now, five years later, La Roja has surpassed the very benchmark it once brought to an end.

This milestone represents the pinnacle of a golden era that began with victory in the 2023 UEFA Nations League, Luis de la Fuente's first trophy as Spain head coach and the foundation upon which the greatest unbeaten run in international football has been built.

Spain's remarkable sequence began on 26 March 2024, with a draw against Brazil at the Santiago Bernabéu. Since then, the national team has remained unbeaten, winning 29 of its 38 matches while capturing UEFA Euro 2024 before completing the journey with the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.

The new world record was achieved against the strongest opponents on the international stage, through the most demanding knockout rounds, and while lifting the game's most prestigious trophies. Spain has not merely surpassed the previous mark of 37 matches—it has redefined the standard.

New Jersey was the destination every one of the 48 teams that entered this World Cup dreamed of reaching. From this day forward, it will also hold a permanent place in the memory of every Spaniard—the city where an extraordinary generation secured its place in footballing eternity.