Earlier on Wednesday, Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales announced at a press conference that Lopetegui had been sacked as Spain head coach after negotiating with Real Madrid without any prior notification.

"Fernando Hierro to assume role as Spain Head Coach for the 2018 Russia World Cup," the team posted on its official Twitter account.

Hierro, 50, spent most of his playing career at Real Madrid, winning the La Liga title five times and lifting three Champions League trophies. He then trained FC Real Oviedo for one season before being appointed the national team's sporting director in November 2017.

On Tuesday, Spanish giants Real Madrid announced that Lopetegui would take charge of the club after the World Cup despite having previously extended his deal with the Spanish Football Federation until 2020.

Spain have been drawn in Group B and will play reigning European champions Portugal in Sochi on June 15, Iran in Kazan on June 20 and Morocco in Kaliningrad on June 25.