In their first FIFA World Cup in 1934, Spain lost to Italy in the quarter-finals in a replayed match. They did well in 1950, beating the USA, Chile and England on their way to a semi-final spot. Subsequent losses to Brazil and Sweden saw the Spaniards finish fourth overall.

In 1982, Spanish fans were devastated when the national team and tournament hosts managed only one victory on home soil and just managed to reach the second phase of the FIFA World Cup.

The team enjoyed a better tournament in 1986, before being eliminated by Belgium in a penalty shoot-out. In 1990 world cup they lost in extra time in the second round to Yugoslavia, while in 1994 world cuy they reached the quarter-finals. In 1998 they were eliminated in the first round. Korea Republic ended a more successful Spanish campaign in 2002, defeating them in a penalty shoot-out again in the quarter-finals.

They will be playing in Group H along with Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia.