By RYAN TOLMICH
Reigning World Cup champions Spain and African Cup of Nations champions Nigeria are two of eight national teams scheduled to participate in a series of matches across North America just prior to this summer’s World Cup.
The series of matches, titled “Road to Brazil”, will take place between May 27 and June 10 across the continent, Soccer United Marketing announced on Monday. In addition to Spain and Nigeria, the Road to Brazil will feature fellow World Cup 2014 participants Greece, Ivory Coast, Honduras and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Bolivia and El Salvador.
The series of matches will provide a valuable tune-up for those heading into the World Cup this summer, as it gives managers one last chance to fine tune their squads before heading to Brazil.
The field will be headlined by powerhouse Spain, who head into Brazil as having been the dominant force in international soccer over the past six years. However, a Confederations Cup loss to hosts Brazil has put a dent in La Roja’s aura of invincibility.
Fellow Confederations Cup participants Nigeria will join Spain on the pre-World Cup tour, as the Super Eagles will look to prepare for a strong World Cup group that includes Argentina, Iran and fellow participants, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Spain and Nigeria aren’t the only squads boasting star-power, as Yaya Toure, Edin Dzeko, Emilio Izaguirre and recent Premier League signee Kostas Mitroglou will look to bring World Cup glory to the Ivory Coast, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Honduras and Greece, respectively.
Complete details for the summer series are yet to be released, but information regarding venues, additional participants and ticket sales will be made available at a later date.
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