Spain reveals its roster of 32 lions for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup
The Spanish women's rugby team, known as "Las Leonas," has announced its 32-player squad for the 2025 Rugby World Cup. This marks Spain's return to the tournament after an eight-year absence, following their non-qualification for the 2021 World Cup held in New Zealand.
The youngest player on the list is Claudia Peña, who at 18 years old, becomes the youngest player ever to be included in a Spanish World Cup squad. If Spain advances to the next round, it would be the first time they have done so in a Rugby World Cup.
Twenty-eight players in the 2025 squad will be making their World Cup debut, including Claudia Peña, Ana Peralta, Zahia Pérez, Alba Capell, and Amalia Argudo. These young players are set to make their mark on the international stage, with most of the squad experiencing their first World Cup.
Laura Delgado, who will captain the team, and Lourdes Alameda are more experienced, with Alameda attending her third World Cup. Lourdes Alameda is the only one of the four to have played in three World Cups, having previously represented Spain in the 2014 and 2021 tournaments.
The 2025 World Cup will take place in one of the sport's birthplaces, England, from August 22 to September 27. Spain's first game in the tournament will be against New Zealand on August 24, a challenging match against a team considered a tough opponent, or a 'bogey' team, for Spain. After the match against New Zealand, Spain has no margin for error and must defeat Ireland and Japan to secure a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.
The Spanish team will also face Ireland and Japan in Pool C, making for an exciting and competitive group stage. With the blend of veteran and fresh talent in the squad, the team is aiming to re-establish itself among the elite teams in women's rugby.
The 2025 World Cup will be a significant event for both Spain and women's rugby, offering an exciting opportunity for new players to showcase their skills and for the team to make history.
[1] BBC Sport. (2025, August 11). Spain women's rugby team announce squad for 2025 World Cup. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/59642359
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 11). Spain women's rugby team name squad for 2025 World Cup. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/11/spain-womens-rugby-team-name-squad-for-2025-world-cup
Spain is set to make an impact in the football field as well, with the announcement of a new talent, 18-year-old Claudia Peña, who has been included in the Spanish Youth Football team's squad for the upcoming tournament. Just like in rugby, this marks a significant milestone for Spanish football, as Peña becomes the youngest player ever to be selected for a Spanish national team's World Cup squad.
