Spain will compete for a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the first phase of the Women's Nations League, facing Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland. The Spanish national team, known as La Roja, is defending its title after winning the tournament in both 2024 and 2025. This competition also functions as a preparatory event for the World Cup in Brazil, scheduled to take place from June 24 to July 25, 2027.
Only the leader of each of the four League A groups will advance to the final phase, where semifinals and finals are played over two legs. Securing first place in the group also guarantees a berth for Los Angeles 2028. Historically, Spain has only participated in one Olympic tournament, France 2024, where they lost to Germany in the bronze medal match.
The draw held on Tuesday at UEFA headquarters in Nyon was favorable for the squad managed by Sonia Bermúdez. As a top seed alongside France, Denmark, and Germany, Spain avoided England, who were considered the primary threat in the second pot. England will face France, Austria, and Portugal. The other groups consist of Denmark, Italy, Iceland, and Wales in Group A3, while Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Scotland form Group A4.
Norway is identified as Spain's strongest opponent in this initial phase, featuring stars like Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. However, the Nordic team has struggled with collective play issues and internal conflicts regarding unequal treatment compared to men's football. These crises have kept them out of recent major tournament finals. Notably, Hegerberg left the national team after the 2017 Euro and only returned for the 2022 edition, where Norway suffered an historic 8-0 defeat to England in their debut match before coach Martin Sögren resigned.
Spain currently holds the top spot in the FIFA rankings as the reigning world champion. Ireland ranks 21st and is considered a growing force, as is Switzerland at 26th. The Swiss team performed well at the 2025 Euro under Pia Sundhage, challenging Spain in Bern until Aitana Bonmatí's assist to Athenea del Castillo secured a win in the second half of their quarterfinal match. Switzerland is now led by Rafael Navarro, who joined the Barcelona technical staff in 2018 and replaced Sundhage in November 2025.
Matches against Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland will be played between February 23 and June 15 across six matchdays, with each team playing three home and three away games. A draw on June 18 will determine the semifinals, scheduled for double legs between October 4 and 12. The final title decider will also be a two-legged affair, set for dates between November 23 and December 4.
The Los Angeles Games will mark the ninth time women's football is included in the Olympic program, which began with eight teams in Atlanta 1996. In 2028, the tournament will expand to 16 teams for the first time, increasing UEFA's allocated spots from three to four.
Sources: El País Deportes.