Julen Lopetegui Jorge Mendes

Spain’s coach Julen Lopetegui (R) and Spain’s goalkeeper David de Gea attend a press conference of Spain’s national football team at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real, on June 2, 2018.

World Cup 2018: Fixtures, kick off time, group, coach and squad for Spain

Can Spain revive some glory?

Julen Lopetegui Jorge Mendes

Spain’s coach Julen Lopetegui (R) and Spain’s goalkeeper David de Gea attend a press conference of Spain’s national football team at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real, on June 2, 2018.

Spain’s recent dominance in club competitions has masked a period of underachievement at international level, but coach Julen Lopetegui believes failure leaves his side more determined than ever to win the World Cup.

Spanish teams have claimed the last five Champions League titles — the latest came when Real Madrid beat Liverpool on Saturday — and five of the last seven Europa Leagues.

But as Real, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla have thrived, the national team’s aura of invincibility, built up by a trio of major triumphs, has melted away.

In 2014, Spain crashed out in the group stage of the World Cup after being ripped apart by the Netherlands and overrun by Chile. In 2016, they reached the knock-out stage of the European Championship but were outplayed by Italy and fortunate even to escape a more emphatic defeat than 2-0.

It leaves the 2010 world champions with a reputation to repair this summer, even while most observers have them marked as one of the outstanding favourites in Russia.

“You earn the title of favourite when you win,” Lopetegui said in an exclusive interview with AFP.

“It’s not when people say you’re a favourite because of past achievements, it’s when you show it on the pitch.

“Spanish football has lived through an extraordinary, historic period in 2008, 2010 and 2012, but after that the team has not found the same consistency or success.

Facts about Spain (Group B)

Honours: World Cup winners in 2010, European Championship winners in 1964, 2008, 2012; Olympic gold medallists in 1992.

Past World Cup performance: 15th participation

Best result: Winners in 2010

FIFA ranking: 8th

Main clubs: Real Madrid, Barcelona

Nickname: La Roja

How they qualified: Finished top of European qualifying Group G, ahead of Italy, without losing a match

Coach: Julen Lopetegui

After replacing Vicente del Bosque, who quit following Spain’s exit two years ago, Lopetegui was tasked with a process of renewal.

His job was to jettison some of the old guard and rejuvenate others, while at the same time introducing younger faces to usher in Spain’s next generation.

Del Bosque had already started the process. From those that played in the Euro 2012 final, Iker Casillas, Alvaro Arbeloa, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata are out.

He recently extended his contract to 2020, which means he’s tasked with seeing the side through to the European Championships, which will be held across the continent in 2020.

Spain’s World Cup squad

David de Gea, Pepe Reina, Kepa Arrizabalaga; Dani Carvajal, Alvaro Odriozola, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Nacho, Cesar Azpilicueta, Jordi Alba, Nacho Monreal; Sergio Busquets, Saul Niquez, Koke, Thiago Alcantara, Andres Iniesta, David Silva; Isco, Marcio Asensio, Lucas Vazquez, Iago Aspas, Rodrigo, Diego Costa.

Fixtures and kick-off times

All times SAST.

Friday, 15 June, 20:00: Portugal vs Spain
Wednesday, 20 June, 20:00: Iran vs Spain
Monday, 25 June, 20:00: Spain vs Morocco

Additional reporting by AFP.