How often has Spain been eliminated in the World Cup group stage?

Spain’s World Cup journey has long been a topic of regional pride and footballing drama. The national team has stood on the brink of glory many times, delivering memorable runs while also learning from tournaments that pushed them out of contention earlier than hoped. Across 22 World Cups counted through 2022, Spain has missed advancing from the group stage only a handful of times, demonstrating a strong track record in the opening rounds. This article examines how often the team exited in the group phase, what those results say about Spain’s consistency, and how fans, analysts, and the football community interpret these trends over decades of competition. The focus remains on the national squad’s performance in the group stage, framed by the broader context of the World Cup’s evolving format and the competitive landscape in which Spain has played. The core takeaway is that Spain has advanced beyond the group stage far more often than not, reflecting a resilient and competitive program that has sustained high levels of play across generations. (Goal)