by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, Jun 18, 2014

[MAKING A LIST: World Cup Defenses]

World Cup Title Defenses:

YEAR CHAMPION FOUR YEARS LATER

1930 Uruguay:

1934 Italy:

1938 Italy:

1950 Uruguay:

1954 West Germany:

1958 Brazil:

1962 Brazil:

1966 England:

1970 Brazil:

1974 West Germany:

1978 Argentina:

1982 Italy:

1986 Argentina:

1990 West Germany:

1994 Brazil:

1998 France:

2002 Brazil:

2006 Italy:

2010 Spain:

World Cup Finishes:

Spain's exit in the group stage of the 2014 World Cup follows the early exits of defending European champions Italy in 2010 and France in 2002 without wins. Just two teams have defended their World Cup title -- Italy in 1938 and Brazil in 1962 -- and two other title holders have reached the final four years later -- Argentina in 1990 and Brazil in 1998.did not enter in 1934.won in 1938.second in group in 1950.fourth in 1954.fourth in 1958.champion in 1962.third in group in 1966.lost in quarterfinals in 1970.fourth in 1974.third in second-round group 1978.last in second-round group in 1982.lost in round of 16 in 1986.runner-up in 1990.lost in quarterfinals in 1994.runner-up in 1998.last in group in 2002.lost in quarterfinals in 2006.last in group in 2002.eliminated -- lost first two games.2 Champion2 Runner-up3 Fourth-Place3 Quarterfinalist2 Second group stage1 Round of 16---------------------------------5 Eliminated in group stage--------------------------------1 Did not defend