Hierro was appointed Spain’s head coach after the sacking of Lopetegui earlier on Wednesday for negotiating to join Real Madrid after the World Cup without first notifying his employers, the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“I congratulate Hierro, who is my big friend, with being appointed head coach of the Spanish team,” Infantino told reporters in Moscow after the 68th FIFA Congress.

Hierro, 50, spent most of his playing career at Real Madrid, winning five La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies. In November 2017, he was appointed the national team's sporting director.

Lopetegui was fired a day after Real Madrid announced that the 51-year-old will take charge of the club after the World Cup, and just two days before the team’s first game at the World Cup against Portugal on Friday in Sochi. Spain will also play Iran and Morocco in their Group B.