Lopetegui, who recently extended his deal with the Spanish national team until 2020, was announced as Real Madrid’s new head coach on Tuesday and was expected to take over after the FIFA World Cup.

However, earlier on Wednesday, Lopetegui was sacked from his post with the Spanish national team for negotiating with Real without notifying the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“Of course, Lopetegui is an outstanding, brilliant coach, we wish him all the best in Real Madrid. But we also wish all the best to the Spanish national team,” Infantino told reporters after the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow.

He added that it was an unfortunate way to start the World Cup but went on to say that sometimes “negative things turn into positive ones.”

Former Real Madrid player and Spain's sporting director Fernando Hierro was appointed as Spain’s head coach for the World Cup.

Spain are set to face Portugal in Sochi on Friday, before also playing Iran and Kazan in their Group B.