Casillas questions qualifying format

10 September 2012 20:31

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas has raised concern over the possibility of his side failing to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

The reigning champions were previously awarded the automatic right to defend their title at the next tournament, but following FIFA rule changes Spain will have to go through UEFA qualifying if they are to be in Brazil in two years.

"Obviously it is strange and unusual that the world champions do not have an automatic ticket for Brazil," Casillas told AS.

"It could happen that we do not reach the World Cup and it would be strange if the champions were not there to defend their title, but we are just thinking about what we are doing."

Drawn in Group I of qualifying, Casillas singled out France as his team's greatest obstacle, with Georgia, Finland and Belarus the other countries in the pool.

"We want to get our first three points, knowing that, in theory, we have games which should not bring us problems, apart from France," he said.

"But we know that these are opponents who can take points off us."

The Spanish team's most-capped player then discussed the opening match against Georgia on Tuesday.

"We know their keeper, (Giorgi) Loria, who was phenomenal against Belarus. We know (Jano) Ananidze, who is a good player.

"As I knew I would be asked, I learned their names."