Spain is a powerhouse on the world stage as they enter their third FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite recent significant turnover in their setup, they have established themselves as a top-10 team and are presently ranked sixth. They are confident of making a strong showing in the event when they arrive in Australia and New Zealand. Late last year, 15 of Spain’s regulars quit the national team in opposition to head coach Jorge Vilda and his staff in backstage. Vilda was compelled to seek out players who were lower in the hierarchy as a result. A newly formed and motivated group has since been moving in the same way. Recent outcomes have been outstanding. There have been victories over teams like the United States and Norway, as well as a 7-0 demolition of Argentina.
Spain are the overwhelming favorites to win Group C. They are paired with Costa Rica, Japan, and Zambia in a group that appears to be reasonably simple on paper. Irene Paredes, Jenni Hermoso, and Alexia Putellas are also back in the mix, which is a further boost for the team’s goals. Ballon d’Or winner Putellas has her sights set on leading Spain in the World Cup, despite having only just made a full recovery after a protracted injury layoff. She adds experience to a youthful team with Paredes and Hermoso; many of Vilda’s charges are competing in a significant international competition for the first time.
The Manager
With Spain, Jorge Vilda hopes to write history. The 42-year-old took over in 2015 after Ignacio Quereda was fired following the World Cup in Canada because the nation’s maiden attempt in the competition resulted in a failure to advance past the group round. In his capacity as senior manager, Vilda—a mainstay of the coaching structures in Spain’s age-group teams—has advanced players like Bonmat, Patri Guijarro, and Athenea del Castillo. Vilda is aware that his squad is among the finest in the world as he gets ready for his second World Cup as coach.
Star player
The undisputed star of Spain is Alexia Putellas, 29. The midfielder has a fantastic opportunity to impress in front of a global audience throughout this event. Putellas was denied the opportunity to shine on the big stage last summer. An anterior cruciate ligament damage prevented her from competing in the Euros. After spending the previous 10 months out of action, the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner is ready to lead Spain once more. There is some uncertainty, though, as to whether she will be ready to leave right away. She made her debut for the year in a 7-0 victory over Panama in a friendly in June; Putellas scored after 22 minutes.
Rising star
Salma Paralluelo is a person in whom Vilda has enormous faith. She was a surprising selection for the Euros a year ago. Since then, she has been a mainstay for Spain. The 19-year-old attacker, who joined Barcelona last summer and has since integrated well, has a very promising future ahead of her for both her national team and club.
Fun Fact
Only Spain has qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup three times, and this one is the ninth. La Roja didn’t make an appearance at the competition until 2015. They had a miserable start, losing at the opening hurdle. Since then, Spain has advanced steadily, earning berths in every major competition. On the grandest platform, they now have to go on.
State of Football
Women’s football is now a recognized sport in Spain. The national squad is improving, and Liga F, the top domestic competition in the nation, is now entirely professional. Spain was slow to accept women’s sports, but once it did, it had success. Take a look at Barcelona, who has twice in the previous three years won the Champions League. With so much potential, Spain has a promising future. As seen by its triumphs at the U-17 and U-20 World Cups last year.
Our Projection
Spain enters the World Cup with high expectations in order to surpass its performance in past major competitions. They should, at the very least, go past their group to the final 16. The USA may be waiting for Spain in the quarterfinals, which would then be crucial to how Spain’s campaign is seen. Gaining a spot in the semifinals would be considered a victory for the competition. Anything more than that would be a genuinely historic accomplishment.
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