MEXICO CITY - Mexico are planning a tour of Europe on their way to the World Cup finals when they hope to include warm-up matches against leading nations, the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) said on Thursday.

The squad will leave for Europe on May 19, make a base for 12 days in the German town of Herzogenaurach where Argentina had their 2006 World Cup camp, and play three friendlies.

"We have made contacts with leading national teams like Italy, Germany, Netherlands, England and Belgium," said Nestor de la Torre, the FMF's director general of national teams.

Mexico will play nine other warm-up matches, six in the U.S. and two at home before leaving for Europe and one in South Africa just before the tournament starts.