Spain's road to World Cup revealed

Thursday 28th January 2010

Spain - the favourites to lift the World Cup once this summer's footballing exploits draw to a close - have finalised their plans for reaching the tournament's group stage with a series of friendlies. The three-match campaign to help warm up for international competition begins on May 29th with a friendly against Liechtenstein, reports the Press Association. For Liechtenstein, the meeting is a chance to celebrate the centenary of its football federation. However, the match-up is particularly relevant to both teams in the present, with the pair due to meet in the UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying group stage. On June 3rd Spain travel to Austria, to meet Korea Republic in Innsbruck as the second of their friendlies. Finally, on June 8th - just eight days before their opening competitive match against Switzerland in Durban - Spain are due to host Poland for their final warm-up. The national side's performance in the friendlies could be the key to seeing whether Spain can maintain their current position as outright favourite to win the World Cup, with odds currently around 4/1.