Spain eye Sao Paulo as World Cup base

Sao Paulo: World and European champions Spain have identified Sao Paulo as a preferred base for next year`s FIFA World Cup.

Spanish football federation (RFEF) officials this week visited Sao Paulo FC`s Cotia youth academy to inspect training facilities and accommodation. Federations of World Cup`s 32 teams can nominate up to three venues as their base for the June 12-July 13 event. World football`s governing body, FIFA, will confirm who will be located where in the days following the the World Cup draw Dec 6. The Cotia academy has also reportedly received visits from the federations of Argentina and Portugal. The United States are favourites to be based at Sao Paulo`s Barra Funda senior training complex.