The Spanish national football team has a rich history in the FIFA World Cup. At their debut in Italy 1934, the team reached the quarter-finals, where they lost in a playoff match to the eventual champions, the hosts. In Brazil 1950, 'La Roja' also had a strong campaign, finishing fourth, but in Chile 1962, they finished last in their group.
In Spain 1982, as the host nation, the team failed to advance past the first group stage. However, in Mexico 1986, Spain reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Belgium on penalties. In Italy 1990, the team was knocked out again in the Round of 16 by Yugoslavia, and in USA 1994, their run ended in the quarter-finals with a loss to Italy.
At the home World Cup in 1998, Spain was surprisingly eliminated in the group stage. In South Africa 2010, despite a poor start, the Spanish team became world champions by defeating the Netherlands in the final, thanks to an extra-time goal from Andrés Iniesta. However, at the next World Cup in Brazil 2014, the team failed to get out of the group stage, mirroring the fate of previous champions.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Spain was eliminated in the Round of 16 by the hosts on penalties. In Qatar 2022, the team was knocked out at the same stage, losing to Morocco. Thus, Spain's World Cup history is marked by both brilliant victories and frustrating disappointments.
