Vicente del Bosque

With just over a year to go until the World Cup, some of Europe's leading nations are hoping to take a major step towards sealing their places in the finals in Brazil in a busy week of qualifying.

Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque has given a strong indication that the Barcelona duo of Victor Valdes and David Villa will start the World Cup qualifier with Finland on Friday.

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque has dismissed as "childish" Jose Mourinho's claims that there were irregularities in FIFA's World Coach of the Year vote.

Spain midfielder Sergio Busquets is targeting six points from two crucial World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France over the next six days to help secure the world champions place in Brazil next year.

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has questioned the awarding of FIFA's World Coach of the Year for 2012 to Spain manager Vicente del Bosque, claiming there were people who voted for him that had their votes changed.

Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea believes his move from Atletico Madrid to Premier League giants Manchester United has helped him evolve into both a better man and a better player.

Spain midfielder Xavi is in a race against time to be fit for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France, as he attempts to recover from a thigh injury, the Spanish federation announced on Tuesday.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque on Friday left Carles Puyol and Fernando Torres out of his 24-man squad for the World Cup qualifying matches against Finland and France later this month.

France coach Didier Deschamps on Tuesday said that his team must concentrate on their World Cup qualifying clash with Georgia, despite a clash with Spain to come just four days later.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque has described Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho's management style as 'aggressive' and far different to his own.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura has revealed that he is in contact with absent coach Tito Vilanova during the Catalan club's matches.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque believes his side's 3-1 win over Uruguay will prove good preparation for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France in March.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque says he has never seen any evidence of doping in football during his time as a player or as a coach.

Swansea City look to have successfully warded off interest in top scorer Michu after revealing on Wednesday that the Spaniard has signed a new four-year contract at the club.

Thomas Vermaelen has backed his Arsenal team-mates to respond positively after a defeat by Premier League champions Manchester City and overcome Swansea City in their FA Cup third round replay.

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup believes forward Michu is well worth an international call-up even though Spain manager Vicente del Bosque may have had a wasted journey to Merseyside to watch the Welsh club's 0-0 draw at Everton.

Everton wasted a chance to boost their challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League as Swansea held on for a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Spain bathed in glory on Tuesday after Barcelona star Lionel Messi won the Ballon d'Or for best footballer of the year for a record fourth time, cementing his claim to be one of the greatest players of all time.

Lionel Messi added yet another record to his stellar list of achievements over the past 12 months when he won an unprecedented fourth, consecutive, Ballon d'Or at a FIFA gala in Zurich.

Sports figures and media hailed a great night for Spanish football on Monday after Liga star Lionel Messi won a fourth Ballon d'Or and national coach Vicente Del Bosque was crowned coach of the year.