Earlier on Wednesday, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced that Hierro would replace Julen Lopetegui as Spain head coach, after Lopetegui had been sacked for negotiating with Real Madrid about becoming their new head coach without giving the federation any prior notification.

"Our goal is to fight for the World Cup trophy and that is what I have told them [the players]. It [the coach replacement] will not serve as an excuse," Hierro told RFEF's official website.

I told the players that we have an exciting challenge ahead of us and we cannot think of anything that will keep us from [achieving] our dream,"

Spain are in group B and will play reigning European champions Portugal in Sochi on 15 June, Iran in Kazan on 20 June and Morocco in Kaliningrad on 25 June.