Karanka only played once for Spain at senior level, on 26 April 1995 against Armenia in Yerevan (2–0 win) for the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifiers.
Karanka participated in one match as a senior player for Spain, which was against Armenia on 26 April 1995 in Yerevan (a 2–0 victory), during the UEFA Euro 1996 qualification process.