The Chelsea skipper is preparing for his third World Cup having now represented his country 41 times since making his debut nine years ago. He captained Spain last year, and also scored his first goal for his country in 2021 in their dramatic Euros win over Croatia.

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Here Azpilicueta discusses some of the learnings he has picked up during his time on the international stage, reveals how close he came to being a World Cup winner himself, and starts by going back right to the beginning…

First World Cup you can remember watching?

France ’98, and then Japan and Korea in 2002.

What are your memories of watching them?

In 2002 I would watch the games at home with my family before school. I remember ’02 especially, when Spain was kicked out by Korea in a controversial game.

In 2006 I watched the final between Italy and France with my friends in Pamplona, I remember very well it was during the San Fermin festival.

Memorable World Cup moment?

I have to say when Spain won the World Cup. That was the best memory. I had just signed for Marseille and I watched it in the hotel room with Fernando Morientes, who was at Marseille then. Pre-season had just started and it felt pretty good going back to training!

There were players I had been with in the Under-21s, like Javi Martinez and Juan Mata, and the others I had played against a lot in La Liga. I had a close connection with some so it was great to see, but really I was just watching as a fan.

You weren’t far away from being in that squad…

I was actually in the longlist of 30 players for the tournament. It was completely unexpected. I received a call from the team manager in Osasuna saying I had a chance of being on the longlist. I had never played for Spain, I had been playing with the Under-21s, so when they said I was in, it was a great surprise. It was a gift I didn’t expect, even though we didn’t meet for a training camp or whatever before the list was cut.

Favourite World Cup kit?

I really liked our white away kit at USA ’94.

What is a stadium you would like to play a World Cup final?

The one in Qatar!

You made your international debut in Qatar…

It was a friendly game against Uruguay. It was a short meeting from Monday to the game on Wednesday. We didn’t have much time, only one training session and the game. It was amazing because I played 90 minutes and we won 3-1.

What are the expectations for Spain this tournament?

It’s very important to maintain our identity and the way we’ve been working together for a long time, and then bring it to the games.

The World Cup is the biggest in the world where everybody wants to play their highest level, and from our point of view we will try to get there at the right time.

What have you learned from the two World Cups you’ve been at?

They have not been very good! We didn’t have good results, but that brings you experience of what the atmosphere looks like and understanding how big a World Cup is.

It’s a tournament that goes really quickly. You need to perform and get results quick. And this will be a different World Cup because it’s in the middle of the European season. The teams that adapt quickest will have a little advantage.

Spain v Germany is one of the standout group fixtures, and you’ll be coming up against Kai Havertz…

It’s very exciting. Playing against your club team-mates is part of football. In the Euros I faced Kova, Emerson, Jorgi. Germany v Spain is always a big game and when you’re wearing a different shirt, you always go in hard!

Who is the favourite for the tournament?

You might think some teams have more chances than others, but when you arrive it’s different. Spain, for example, we went to the 2014 World Cup after winning two Euros and a World Cup, and then we went out in the group stage. Nobody expected that. That’s why football is great. You have to prove it every single time.