By Robbie Blakeley, Senior Contributing Reporter
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL – The draw for the 2013 Confederations Cup was made this past weekend in the Anhembi Convention Center in São Paulo. Jerome Valcke, the FIFA General Secretary, made the draw which wasn’t kind to Brazil and their new coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari.
The Seleção were drawn in Group A alongside Japan, Mexico and Italy, whilst Group B will hold Spain, Uruguay, Tahiti and the champions from the African Cup of Nations, still yet to be played. Brazil will open the tournament on June 15th at Brasília’s Mané Garrincha stadium.
A star studded event was attended by former international football stars Bebeto, Cafu and Ronaldo Fenômeno.
Whilst many see the Confederations Cup as a dress rehearsal for the following year’s World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter went to great pains to emphasize the importance of the 2013 event.
“In the Confederations Cup there are twelve stars. It is not a rehearsal competition”, he said,
“It’s an authentic festival of champions. I’m sure Brazil will deliver a wonderful competition and follow it up with a great FIFA World Cup,” Blatter concluded.
Read more (in Portuguese).
* The Rio Times Daily Update is a new feature we are offering to help keep you up-to-date with major news as it happens.
Read More from The Rio Times