The last time a World Cup champion won back-to-back tournaments was in 1962, when a Pele-led Brazil managed the feat. That generation of players was widely considered the greatest international team of all time. However, another team has managed to enter into that conversation after being the first team to win three straight international tournaments in a row. That team is the current defending champion Spain, which enters the tournament after winning the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups and the 2010 World Cup. Can Spain make history by winning its second straight World Cup and its fourth straight major tournament?

History

Prior to winning the big prize in 2010, Spain was actually considered a major underachiever at the World Cup. Prior to 2010, the team had never managed to make it further than the quarterfinals despite being consistently considered a favorite. The team finished in fourth place in 1950 when the tournament still utilized two group stages to determine the finalists. Spain's best finish under the normal setup was fifth in 2002 when the team was eliminated by South Korea in the quarterfinals.

Spain's 2010 World Cup was historical for a number of reasons. Spain became the first team to win the World Cup after losing its opening match; no other Champion has ever achieved that feat. Spain became the first European team to win a trophy outside of its continent. Spain tied the 1998 France and 2006 Italy teams for fewest goals allowed in a tournament by a Champion. The lowest scoring Champions ever with only eight goals in the entire tournament; the team won its last four games by the score of 1-0.

How did they get here?

Spain's qualifying campaign was far from smooth. The team did not lose a single game but could have finished second after drawing at home against France and against Finland. The team turned around its fortunes by taking down the French in Paris but Spain still struggled down the stretch in victories over Belarus and Georgia. The team wound up atop the group with 20 points. Pedro finished with four goals in qualifying to lead the team.

Top Stars

Where does one start? Spain's roster is filled with superstars. Iker Casillas is leads the team in net with Pepe Reina and possible David De Gea as his backups. The defense includes the likes of Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba and probably Juanfran, Dani Carvajal and Nacho Monreal. The midfield is arguably Spain's most potent position with Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Busquets, Isco, Koke, Javi Martinez and Cesc Fabregas likely among the candidates to lead the team. And this list does not include a plethora of other top players that would slot into any other national side that did not have such a logjam as Spain does. For example, Juan Mata was a starter in the Confederations Cup final last year but is unlikely to join the team after a poor season in 2013-14.

The striker position is arguably the most problematic position for Spain. Alvaro Negredo, Diego Costa, David Villa and Fernando Torres are all top players but none of them have made a tremendous case to be included on Spain's roster. It will be interest to see which player coach Vicente del Bosque chooses to lead the line.

Can they get out of the group?

Spain faces a tough challenge this year as it must take down the Netherlands, Chile and Australia. The team is expected to get out of the group, but as the 2002 France and 2010 Italy defending champions have indicated, the Champion does not always have it easy.

Many have stated time and again that Spain's cycle as a dominant force has come to an end, especially after the poor showing in the Confederations and the poor year that Barcelona (which houses many of the team's top stars) endured. Moreover, most of the core of players that led the team to its three straight tournament wins are getting relatively old. Xavi is 34 while Xabi Alonso is 32. Iniesta, Spain's most dynamic attacking midfielder, is going to be 30 when the ball starts rolling on June 13 for Spain. They will likely not be back for the next tournament in Russia.

Another major concern is Spain's style of play. The possession game has seen a decline over the last year, especially after Bayern Munich thrashed Barcelona 7-0 and Brazil topped Spain 3-0. Both sides pressured in the midfield and disrupted the flow of the two sides' passing game. Barcelona's continued decline, and even Munich's 5-0 loss over two games against Real Madrid after adapting tiki taka into their system, furthered the notion that this style of play may no longer be effective. Spain's recent loss against South Africa was further evidence of this as well.

Despite these questions, there is no reason not to believe that Spain will come away as the top team in the group. The defending champs still possess arguably the deepest roster in the entire tournament as well as a manager that knows how to get his troops to play at the highest level and win with consistency.

Can they win it all?

The reservations listed above still stand. But aside from Spain, the number of contenders to win it all remain rather slim. Brazil and Argentina stand as the top choices due to the continental advantage. Germany is arguably Europe's most complete team while a Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal could surprise. But Spain remains among the top contenders to win the trophy. They have made history before by winning three straight major international tournaments. Who is to say that this generation, in its likely swansong, can not make one final piece of history? Spain remains a contender to win the cup and should make it as far as the semifinals.