The Confederations Cup Comes to Germany
June 9, 2005
It seems that Germany just can't wait to host the FIFA 2006 World Cup. The preparations are in full flow and the excitement and expectation are already reaching fever pitch with almost a year still to go as teams from around the world slowly book their places at the global soccer showpiece.
But for those who can't wait until June 2006, there's something happening this month which could satisfy the craving for top international soccer action: The Confederations Cup.
The eight-team competition will be held over two weeks beginning on June 15, 2005 and will feature some of the world's top stars from Argentina, Brazil, Tunisia, Greece, Japan, Australia, Mexico…and of course hosts Germany.
The tournament, which is played every two years, involves the host country, the current World Champions, the winners of the European Championships, the Copa America, the Oceania Nations Cup, the African Nations Cup, the Gold Cup and Asian Cup. It is the play-off competition for the champions of champions, bringing together the ruling nations from the world's soccer federations in a continental showdown.
As Brazil qualify as both World Champions and holders of the Copa America, the South American cup runners-up Argentina take the eight spot in the mouth-watering line-up.
The contest for the inter-continental crown
The Confederations Cup is an opportunity for the regional champions to come together and challenge each other for the right to claim the inter-continental crown. The competition also provides a chance for the so-called lesser Confederations to test their progress against the nations of the more established and wealthier continents.
"The Confederations Cup is a wonderful competition because it is a symbol of solidarity between the confederations," said FIFA President Sepp Blatter. "With the exception of the World Cup, it is the only official international competition in which teams from all the continents can test themselves against one another."
France victory marred by tragedy in 2003
The last tournament in 2003 was won by then European Champions and hosts France but was marred by the tragic death of Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foe who collapsed on the pitch during a semi-final against Colombia played in the soaring temperatures of that year's extreme French summer.
The first Confederations Cups, known the as the King Fahd Cup, were held in Saudi Arabia in 1992, 1995 and 1997. Mexico hosted the tournament in 1999 and Japan and South Korea did so in 2001. Since the inaugural FIFA Confederations Cup, each tournament has seen a different confederation emerge triumphant, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the showcase competition.
Germany as hosts, however, will be hoping that they will break the trend of passing the title between the Confederations and retain the cup for European federation UEFA.