ROME, ITALY - Italy coach Marcello Lippi said on Thursday that he has almost already decided upon his World Cup squad for South Africa.

The reigning champions will be in group F with Paraguay, New Zealand and Slovakia and Lippi says there are only a few spaces left up for grabs in his 23-man squad.

'The team is coming together nicely, 17 players are already certainties for the World Cup in South Africa,' he said.

'I need just six more to complete the squad.

'I have four months left to choose these six players and to insert them into the group of 23.

'It's a tough choice given that at the moment at least 35 players are playing to a high level.'