FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 hosts Thailand have invited Spain and Australia to play friendly matches that will promote the world tournament and its stadiums.

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and the Thailand LOC for the Futsal World Cup will further boost anticipation for November’s showpiece by hosting top-ranked Spain and also Australia.

At a press conference at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Bangkok, various officials laid out their intentions for the friendlies. Present were Suwat Liptapanlop, former deputy Prime Minister and the president of the Thailand LOC Board, Taweesakdi Dechdejo, Deputy Permanent Secretary for Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and Ong-Art Kohsinka, Secretary General of FAT presided alongside guest of honour Jaime Yarza and FIFA Inspection Delegates.

Australia have officially been confirmed to play two friendly matches against Thailand – first at Silpa-archa Hall in Suphanburi Province on 18 May and then at Kilawes 1 Dindaeng in Bangkok on 20 May.

Spain, meanwhile, are set to play two games against the hosts at official FIFA Futsal World Cup venues. The Spaniards will first meet Thailand on 24 August at Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok after the Futsal World Cup official draw on the same day. They will then travel to play at Chatchai Hall in Nakhon Ratchasima on 26 August.

“We hope these friendly matches with world class teams will be beneficial and not just public interest, but also good tests for Thailand,” said Thailand LOC Board president Suwat Liptapanlop.

Jaime Yarza wished Thailand success in the preparations to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year, while also stating he hopes the side can go beyond the group stage. “I also hope there will be full house at every match of the coming World Cup,” the FIFA Delegate said.

The Deputy Permanent Secretary for BMA also said that they plan to build up anticipation for the Futsal tournament through various public relations and advertising initiatives, while also organising the Bangkok Communities Futsal Tournaments for all 50 districts. “We will finalise with the LOC and FAT, with the approval from FIFA, to organise the pre-World Cup Tournament in the right time with the right team. We hope this can be done,” said Taweesakdi Dechdejo.