BBC Sport attributes Spain's dominance in men's world football to three key pillars: education, Basque culture, and the influence of Barcelona. The first pillar is education, specifically the National Institute of Physical Education, which created physical coaches and football coaches with a deep understanding of learning and training processes. Some of these fitness coaches became big managers, like Rafa Benitez or Marcelino Garcia Toral.
The second pillar is the Basque culture, which represents a special reference within Spanish football. The Basque Country is known for its work ethic, daily effort, and discipline. This culture is embodied in players like Mikel Merino, who scored a quarter-final winner against Germany at Euro 2024. Five Basque players from the 2026 squad have formed an important part of Spain's recent success.
The third pillar is the influence of Barcelona, specifically the tactical revolution pioneered by Johan Cruyff. Cruyff's style of playing total football has been mirrored at the Nou Camp under Pep Guardiola's management. This style has produced players like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets, who were brought through in a system where players learn the art of ball possession and positional play.
According to BBC Sport, Spain's current boss Luis de la Fuente has repeated what Guardiola did, producing talented players like Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Pau Cubarsi. The next event for Spain is their Nations League match against England at Wembley on Saturday.