La Roja wants a knockout in the World Cup after 16 years

Spain faces Austria in the round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup with a clear mission: to break a curse of 16 years without victories in qualifying rounds. Since lifting the trophy at South Africa 2010, La Roja has been unable to make it past a knockout round at the World Cup, falling prematurely in each subsequent edition. The recent record is brutal and demands an immediate response.

After the glory of 2010, Spain suffered painful eliminations: exit in the group stage in 2014 and losses in the round of 32 in 2018 and 2022. Now, the team arrives at this match against Austria with the urgent need to show that it can compete under pressure when the tournament goes uphill. The rival is not just any obstacle; Austria presents a disciplined defensive block and a suffocating pressing that has complicated great teams in this championship.