"I would really like to come to Russia to support the [Spanish] team. We need to support the players now," Guirao said in an interview with Onda Cero radio station.

He added that although tennis was his favorite sports, he still rooted for the national team "like 95% of Spaniards".

Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) President Luis Rubiales announced at a press conference yesterday that Julen Lopetegui had been sacked as Spain head coach after agreeing to join Real Madrid after the World Cup.

Fernando Hierro was swiftly appointed as Lopetegui's replacement and said that the change of coach would be no excuse if Spain failed at the tournament.

The 2010 winners are set to play against Portugal on Friday, and will also meet Iran and Morocco in Group B.