The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup takes place in South Africa from 14 to 28 June 2009. This tournament is often seen as a dress rehearsal for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
But how many of us read about the tournament and ask ourselves why it is called the Confederation Cup and why is it that so many top teams are participation – and some others not?
I have done some research to satisfy my own curiosity, and found some interesting facts:
• Played in the World Cup host country a year before football’s premier event, the Confederations Cup has become a serious test of the host country’s World Cup readiness – and a major sporting event in its own right, bringing together regional champions from all corners of the globe.
• Participants include the current World Cup champion, the new host country, and the winners of each of the six FIFA Confederation championships – ie the reigning African, Asian, European, Oceanian, South American and Concacaf (North and Central America and the Caribbean) champions.
• From 2005, the Confederations Cup is to be held once in every four years, one year prior to each World Cup in the host country of the forthcoming World Cup.
• When the World champion is also winner of its confederation championship, then the World Cup runner-up also enters the Confederations Cup, ensuring eight teams for the tournament. In the 2005 tournament, however, Brazil, as World champion, and World Cup runner-up Germany, as host, had qualified. When Brazil also won the Copa América, the vacant eighth spot was awarded to Argentina, runner-up in the Copa América.
• In 2009, the participating teams will be African champs Egypt, Asian champs Iraq, European champs Spain, Oceanian champs New Zealand, South American champs Brazil, Concacaf champs USA, 2006 World Cup winners Italy, and 2010 hosts South Africa.
The Road Safety Blog would like to wish all our sports enthusiasts a safe and enjoyable travel across South Africa to the Confederation Cup Games!
Also view:
• Spectator Survival Guide and Safety on the Road to Sports Stadiums
• Finding Your Way FIFA Confederations Cup 2009