Spain’s women’s national football team stand at a historic crossroads. In just a few days, the national side will play for their direct ticket to the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2027. With a new coaching staff, a generational handover under way and their sights set on retaining the world crown won in 2023, we analyse the present and the short-term future of “la Roja”.
1. The Sonia Bermúdez era: calm and ambition after the storm
The senior national team’s project took a definitive turn in August 2025. Following the conclusion of that year’s European Championship and the non-renewal of Montse Tomé’s contract, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) handed the reins to Sonia Bermúdez.
The legendary former striker for the national team and for Barça, who had already been doing brilliant work with the Under-23s and in the youth categories (where she won European titles), took up the post with a clear mission: to calm the surrounding environment, consolidate an attacking style of play and carry out a gentle transition between the golden generation and the young prospects.
Under her baton, Spain have recovered their tactical freshness, committing to possession-based football but with greater verticality and more variety in attack.
2. The road to Brazil 2027: Group A3 at boiling point
Spain are in the thick of the European qualifying phase for the 2027 World Cup. Drawn in Group A3, the national team are waging a colossal battle with three heavyweight rivals: England, Iceland and Ukraine.
The story of 2026 so far:
To date, Spain’s path has had bright spots and one small shadow:
- Spain 3 - 0 Iceland (3 March 2026): A solid debut to open the year with goals and control.
- Ukraine 1 - 3 Spain (7 March 2026): A hard-earned victory on neutral ground.
- England 1 - 0 Spain (14 April 2026): The group’s only stumble, in a physical match played at Wembley.
- Spain 5 - 0 Ukraine (18 April 2026): An emphatic response from the team at home to reclaim top spot on goal difference.
The week of truth (June 2026):
The group stage concludes with two definitive finals in which Spain’s fate is in their own hands for direct qualification:
- Spain vs England (5 June 2026, 9pm – Estadi de Son Moix, Mallorca): The match of the year. A victory in Palma de Mallorca would virtually secure first place in the group.
- Iceland vs Spain (9 June 2026 – Reykjavik): A demanding finale in the Icelandic cold where the World Cup tickets will be confirmed.
Note: Only the group winners qualify directly for the World Cup in Brazil; the runners-up must contest a perilous two-legged play-off at the end of the year.
3. Anatomy of the squad: the first-choice core returns
To face these two vital fixtures, Sonia Bermúdez announced on 28 May 2026 a list of 25 players that combines experience, stature and fearless youth.
The most eagerly awaited return
The great news for Spanish supporters is the return to full fitness of Aitana Bonmatí. Having recovered from the fractured fibula that kept her sidelined for five months and found her rhythm with FC Barcelona in their conquest of the Champions League in Oslo, the three-time Ballon d’Or winner will lead the national team’s midfield alongside Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro, reuniting the most dominant engine room on the planet.
The 25-player squad:
- Goalkeepers: Cata Coll, Misa Rodríguez, Adriana Nanclares.
- Defenders: Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Irene Paredes, Mapi León, María Méndez, Jana Fernández, Andrea Medina, Laia Codina.
- Midfielders: Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Patri Guijarro, Fiamma Benítez, Mariona Caldentey, Clara Serrajordi.
- Forwards: Salma Paralluelo, Eva Navarro, Lucía Corrales, Esther González, Edna Imade, Athenea del Castillo, Claudia Pina, Vicky López.
The push of the “generation of the future”
The list does not only look to the present. The presence of very young players such as Vicky López, Clara Serrajordi and Lucía Corrales shows that Sonia Bermúdez is unafraid to make way for young talent. These footballers, who already know what it is to win World Cups at youth level, are beginning to stake their claim to significant minutes ahead of the great World Cup cycle on the horizon.
4. The near future: what awaits Spain after June?
The national team’s fate over the coming months will depend on the outcome of the matches against England and Iceland:
- If Spain finish 1st in the group: They will secure direct passage to Brazil 2027. The second half of 2026 and the first half of 2027 will be devoted to preparing for the tournament, with top-level international friendlies and the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Nations League.
- If Spain finish 2nd in the group: They will have to play the UEFA play-offs in autumn 2026. Two two-legged ties that would add an extra dose of tension to the players’ calendar.
- The Brazil 2027 objective (June-July 2027): The great final goal of this group. Spain will arrive at the South American showpiece with the pressure and the pride of defending the star on the shirt earned in Sydney 2023, but with a more mature, rejuvenated team and a renewed tactical idea.
