Mexico City: Spain set off today on the long trip to face Mexico in what will be their first international since winning the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time.

La Roja set off for Mexico City, where they are scheduled to play in the Azteca stadium as part of their hosts` bicentenary celebration of independence from Spain.

Wednesday`s encounter will see the Spanish lay their new-found prestige on the line as the best side in the world against opponents who made it to the last 16 before bowing to Argentina in South Africa. And their appetite for further success remains undimmed after adding the world title to their UEFA EURO 2008 triumph.

"The fact we have won the World Cup does not mean that we no longer have goals and objectives to achieve," said Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente. "We have to carry on as we have been doing with a view to winning as much as possible."

The squad includes 18 of the players who saw off the Netherlands in the Final last month although one of those missing will be scorer and Barcelona star Andres Iniesta, who will be rested by coach Vicente del Bosque. "Though he got through the World Cup fine he does have a slight problem - and we preferred to let him join up with his club (in advance of the new Spanish season) as normal," Del Bosque said last week when he unveiled his squad.

Villarreal`s midfielder Bruno Soriano is the new face in the squad as Del Bosque looks at fresh options with a view to UEFA EURO 2012. The Spanish begin their 2012 qualifying programme on 3 September against minnows Liechtenstein.

BDST: 1754 HRS, AUGUST 10, 2010