Coach: Luis Aragones

Star Players: Raul, Fernando Torres, Carles Puyol

Tournament Best: Quarter-Finals 1934, 1986, 1994, 2002

Last Time: Lost to South Korea in Quarter-Finals

Qualifying: Beat Slovakia in European Playoffs

Top Scorer In Qualifying: Fernando Torres 7

Spain have one of the most talented squads at the World Cup, but they have a history of underachieving and it has become something of a mental block for them.

They were unbeaten in qualifying but drew as many games as they won and finished second to Serbia and Montenegro.

Slovakia were swept aside in the play-offs and Spain go into the competition hoping they can get past the quarter-finals for the first time.

Iker Casillas is one of the world's best 'keepers, and they have a strong defence in front of him that will be led by Barcelona's Carles Puyol.

In midfield, they have a number of talented players together with exciting wingers in Joaquin and Vicente.

Captain Raul and wonderkid Fernando Torres are the first-choice front two, and have formed a formidable partnership.

They have top-class players in every position and there is no reason why they cannot reach the latter stages.

Their biggest obstacle will be overcoming the tradition of failure.