Spain
Rank: 1 World Cup appearances: Best result: TOP SCORERS (QUALIFYING) Did you know? In the 1954 World Cup, Hungary scored 27 goals in 5 games and didn't win the tournament. In the 2010 World Cup, Spain scored 8 goals in 7 games and won it.
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Spain's desire for glory on the international stage is as strong as ever but the champions will need something special if they are to become the first Europeans to win the World Cup in the Americas. The only nation from the continent to triumph in soccer's global showpiece outside Europe, thanks to their triumph in South Africa four years ago, La Roja got an indication of the task facing them when they were humbled 3-0 by hosts Brazil in last year's Confederations Cup final.
While Vicente Del Bosque may be reluctant to experiment too much in Brazil and risk upsetting the balance of a side stuffed with proven champions, he will have recourse to players capable of coming off the bench and changing a game like creative midfield pair Thiago Alcantara and Koke.
Perhaps his most significant move was the controversial decision late last year to call Brazil-born forward Diego Costa into the squad, which provoked outrage in Costa's native country.
Spain scored just eight times in seven games at the 2010 World Cup and Costa, who made his debut in a 1-0 friendly win against Italy in March, could provide the cutting edge that La Roja sometimes lack up front.
The 25-year-old has scored a hatful of goals for Atletico Madrid in La Liga and the Champions League this season, and his combative playing style, strength in the air and prowess shooting with either foot strike fear into any defence.
Nonetheless, few would bet against Del Bosque and his hugely talented squad defending their crown where no European side has managed to win in the seven World Cups held in North, Central and South America.
STRENGTH
Tiki-taka
Spain still have the ability to pass teams to death, and providing the fitness is there, the capability to press teams into turning the ball over in dangerous areas. There is a World Cup-winning pedigree everywhere you look in this side, and that makes them a contender for victory.
WEAKNESS
Predictable
The 2013 Confederations Cup was not kind to them. Both Brazil and Italy exposed weaknesses in the side, and del Bosque will need to pick (and stay loyal to) a striker, shore up defensive midfield to prevent being overrun and re-motivate his trophy-laden squad.
ONE TO WATCH
Diego Costa
A World Cup final featuring hosts Brazil and holders Spain is not an unlikely scenario and Diego Costa could find himself playing a starring role for his adopted country against his native one on July 13.
The Brazil-born forward raised hackles among his compatriots when he accepted an invitation late last year to play for world and European champions Spain.
The 25-year-old, who began his professional career in Portugal before joining Atletico Madrid as a teenager in 2007, has developed into one of the game's most prolific scorers in the past two seasons and will bring added value to a Spain team who have often played without a traditional centre-forward.
Tall, athletic and powerful in the air, he has excellent touch and vision and is a handful for opposition defenders who find it tough to cope with Costa's physical approach, which sometimes pushes the boundaries of fair play.
Known for his ability to foster harmony, Del Bosque said Costa's combative on-field persona was very different to how he behaved away from the pitch.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has said Costa was "turning his back on the dream of millions" in choosing Spain over Brazil. But Del Bosque will be hoping the player repays his faith if Costa is called into action at the finals, and his native country's loss could very much be Spain's gain.
Coach: Vicente del Bosque
Spain launch their bid to retain the World Cup in Brazil with a richly talented squad and the ideal man to keep their feet on the ground, as they chase a fourth successive major title, is coach Vicente del Bosque.
Del Bosque had strong credentials for the job and has been a success while ensuring the players are the protagonists. He rules by conviction and is not swayed by the opinions of fans and the media. Planning for his future, Del Bosque earned his coaching certificate at 27 and, after hanging up his boots, worked in Real Madrid's youth academy.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Napoli), David De Gea (Manchester United)
Defenders: Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Raul Albiol (Napoli), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea), Juanfran (Atletico Madrid), Jordi Alba (Barcelona)
Midfielders: Xavi (Barcelona), Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona), Santi Cazorla (Arsenal), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Javi Martinez (Bayern Munich)
Forwards: David Silva (Manchester City), Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid), Fernando Torres (Chelsea), Pedro (Barcelona), Juan Mata (Manchester United), David Villa (Atletico Madrid)
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