The ghost of Morocco raises its head. Spain intends to break the 16-year connection with Austria.

Spain look to break a 16-year tie when they take on Austria in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 at the Los Angeles Stadium on Thursday evening.

The Spanish team led the group standings with 7 points. Beating Saudi Arabia (4-0) and Uruguay (1-0) and drawing 0-0 with Uruguay.

But there is a complication that has dogged Spain since winning the 2010 World Cup, which is that they have neither won nor scored in a World Cup qualifier.

In the 2014 World Cup, Spain went out of the World Cup in the group stage, and in 2018, La Roja’s battalion made it out of the groups, but lost to Russia in the round of 16 on penalties.

As for the 2022 World Cup, Spain qualified for the round of 16, but lost to Morocco on penalties.