England striker Jermain Defoe has identified Spain as the team to beat at next summer's World Cup finals in South Africa.

Vicente del Bosque's men are not only the reigning European champions but also the world's No.1 ranked side and will head into next summer's World Cup as favourites to lift football's most coveted prize.

And Tottenham hitman Defoe feels that La Furia Roja, who were drawn in Group H alongside Switzerland, Chile and Honduras, will be the side to beat come June 11th, 2010, when the tournament kicks-off.

England, who will pit their wits in Group C with Algeria, the United States and Slovenia, can in theory could meet Spain in the final and Defoe admits he is relishing that prospect.

"Spain are a great side, with top players queuing up to get a game - and they're the European champions, so I guess they're the team to beat. Let's hope we meet them in the final," he told Zoo Magazine.

Defoe also highlighted some other teams the Three Lions will have to be wary of, notably Germany, holders Italy and the Ivory Coast, spearheaded as they are by in-form Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

"Germany are a great footballing nation and they always do well in tournaments. It'd be brilliant to face them, what with all the history," he said.

"Brazil are more solid, Holland can play and Italy are the kings of doing enough to get through. But once it gets underway, anything can happen.

"An African team has to win the World Cup some time. I just hope it's not this time! But if you look at Ivory Coast, they're physically so strong and athletic and they have Didier Drogba, who's really flying at the moment."