Ottmar Hitzfeld expects European teams to struggle in Brazil

Switzerland manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has claimed that European nations will struggle out in Brazil during the World Cup.

The 65-year-old German, who has been in charge of the Swiss since 2008, recently confirmed that he will be retiring from coaching after the tournament.

When asked what the European teams would make of the hot conditions in Brazil, Hitzfeld told Laureus.com: "Very, very difficult. It cannot be a coincidence that a European team couldn't win a World Cup held in South America. Not in Uruguay, not in Mexico, not in Argentina and for sure not in Brazil."

Switzerland get their World Cup campaign underway on Sunday when they meet Ecuador in Brasilia.