Overview of the FIFA Confederations Cup

The tournament was originally organized by Saudi Arabia and called the King Fahd Cup (or Intercontinental Championship), contested in 1992 and 1995 by the Saudi national side and some continental champions. In 1997, FIFA took over the organization of the tournament, named it the FIFA Confederations Cup and staged the competition every three years.

Dates for the FIFA Confederations Cup

The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup will be the 8th Confederations Cup, held in South Africa from June 14 to June 28, 2009.

Qualification Process

Italy automatically qualify for the event as incumbent FIFA World Cup champions, and South Africa qualify automatically as hosts of the event.

Each confederation hosts a qualifying tournament for its national member associations, with the format varying from continent to continent. The Copa America acts as the preliminary competition for CONMEBOL. This tournament is also the oldest international tournament still taking place, with the first one having been staged in 1916. Additional nations - generally from CONMEBOL's North and Central American counterpart, CONCACAF - are often invited to participate, but an invitee has yet to reach the final. Uruguay and Argentina have been the dominant force in the Copa America, with 14 titles apiece. The most recent edition of the tournament took place in Venezuela in June and July 2007, with Mexico and USA as invitees, and was won by Brazil.

Qualification Requirements for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009

The requirements to qualify for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 is for the national teams to wint their continental tournaments, such as the Gold Cup, Copa America, Euro Cup, Asian Cup, and the African Cup.

Competition Format

The teams are placed in groups and the best two advance to the quarterfinals.

Location and Venues

South Africa:

• Johannesburg -Ellis Park Stadium

• Pretoria - Loftus Versfeld Stadium

• Bloemfontein - Free State Stadium

• Rustenburg - Royal Bafokeng Stadium

Ticket Availability

Official Sponsors

Important Links

References