1998: 11 (11 failed to advance).
2002: 12 (Turkey advanced; 11 failed to advance).
2006: 13 (Ghana, Ukraine advanced; 11 failed to advance).
2010: 10 (*Spain advanced; 9 failed to advance).
2014: 14 (Greece, Uruguay, Algeria advanced; 11 failed to advance).
2018: 13 (Colombia advanced; 12 failed to advance).
*Spain went on to win World Cup after it opened with a 1-0 loss to Switzerland.
• 2022 first-game losers (11): Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Ghana, Germany, Iran, Qatar, Cameroon. Senegal, Serbia.

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