Manager: Vicente del Bosque

Key player: Xavi

Best: Fourth (1950)

World ranking: 1

Spain matched the feats of England and the Netherlands, qualifying for the 2010 World Cup with two qualifying group matches to spare thanks to a workmanlike 3-0 defeat of Estonia in Merida. Cesc Fabregas, Santi Cazorla and Juan Mata got the goals to make it eight straight wins, with a 1-1 draw between Bosnia-Herzegovina and Turkey ensuring the European champions' smooth progress to the finals for the ninth straight time.

That Brazil are no longer the number one ranked side in the world is a testimony to the progress made by Spain over the last few years, and the Euro 2008 winners will be a major contender in South Africa. Picking out individuals to praise is not only difficult but very unfair to the rest of the side, but it could be argued the key to their side is Barcelona midfield duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi. Doubters and pessimists may legitimately point to the 2-0 defeat by the USA in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup in June as proof of chinks in the Spanish armour, but with that being their first loss in 35 matches - a run that equals Brazil's world record - teams will have to employ expert aim if they are to penetrate such flaws.