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As is the case with most other European countries, Spain has a long and rich
history of playing soccer and, as a result, the Spanish national football
team is a regular participant in the FIFA World Cup, which is played every
four years.
Known in Spain as 'La Roja', the national football team of Spain falls under
the control of the Real Federación Española de Fútbol, which was founded in 1909.
Although the Spanish national football team has never won a FIFA World Cup, in
2008 it became the European Champions for the second time, and in doing so
secured the coveted number one position in the FIFA World Ranking for the first
time in the country's history. In fact, Spain became only the sixth country in
the world to achieve this honor.
The Spanish national soccer squad entered the World Cup for the first time in
1934, where they it made it to the quarterfinals, drawing 1-1 with Italy. In those
days draws were settled with a rematch, which Italy went on to win by 1-0. Since
then, Spain has taken part in the majority of World Cup tournaments, although it
has yet to win one. It's best result to date has been a fourth place in the
1950 World Cup.
Over the years Spain has produced some top-class players including Emilio
Butragueno, Fernando Hierro, Raul, Andoni Zubizarreta, Luis Arconada, Xavi
Hernandez, Fernando Morientes, David Villa, Alfredo di Stéfano, Fernando Torres,
Isidro Lángara, Ladislao Kubala, Alfonso Pérez and Amancio.
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