South Florida proving a hot site for World Cup teams

There were a lot of losers in this month’s World Cup draw. The U.S., for example, which was drawn into a Group of Death with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. And England, which was matched with Italy, Chile and Uruguay.

But there was also a big winner: South Florida.

Once the major European powers got a look at where and when they would be playing in next summer’s tournament in Brazil, they began looking for training bases with both world-class facilities as well as the kind of oppressive heat and humidity they’re likely to find in South America.

Hello, Miami.

As a result England, which will open its World Cup schedule in the Amazonian city of Manaus, quickly announced its intention to train in South Florida and now media reports in Spain say the defending World Cup champion Spanish national team will set up its base in Miami.

Expect others to follow with Tampa, Bradenton and Orlando among the possible Florida sites. And even teams that don’t make Florida their full-time home are likely to pass through to play friendlies on their way down to South America.

The U.S. could be among those countries with Coach Juergen Klinsmann having admitted earlier this fall he would like to play England in the run-up to the World Cup.

Don’t expect the Americans to stay long in Miami though. Klinsmann, whose team also has a group play match scheduled in the Amazon, has already excluded Florida as a possible training base, saying the conditions could compromise the work his team needs to do.

ALSO:

U.S. Olympic delegation draws widespread reaction

UCLA football: Jim Mora says he will not be Texas-bound

Watch Southern Illinois Coach Barry Hinson’s epic post-game rant