FIFA Confederations Cup 2013

[just some bloke]

Starts just over a week from now. It's a tournament that usually produces some cracking football, with the teams involved seemingly taking it pretty seriously. It's not as good as a World Cup or a European Championship with England in it, but I'm excited about it.

Here's the groups:

Brazil, Japan, Italy, Mexico

- Brazil the clear favorites. Mexico have been in poor form of late, and although I wouldn't rule out dark horses Japan, it looks like a fairly clean shot through for Italy to the semis.

Spain, Uruguay, Nigeria, Tahiti

- Tahiti clearly will be the whipping boys here. Could we see the first 10 goal haul in an international tournament since Hungary put 10 past El Salvador in 1982? Other than that, most people would I guess fancy Luis Suarez and Uruguay to join Spain?

[stealthpapes]

Its actual LOLz that Tahiti qualified

[TBM]

Probably gonna give this one a miss - i am bored of watching football now, i need a break before the new season starts

[southbank1871]

How do you qualify for this? I always thought it was by invitation?

[TBM]

How do you qualify for this? I always thought it was by invitation?

Winners of UEFA (Euros), CONMEBOL, CONCACAF, CAF, AFC, OFC along with the World Cup winners

As Spain won Euros and WC - the runner up of the WC enter instead (Italy)

[southbank1871]

Thanks, not sure I knew that.

[TBM]

Thanks, not sure I knew that.

Its also used as a mini-test for the hosts of the WC (Brazil) to help iron out any issues before the World Cup starts the following year.

[stealthpapes]

Winners of the relevant confederation tournament, winners of last WC, hosts of next WC (its a test run for infrastructure basically) and then I think invitation to get to 8

hosts - Brasil
WC - Spain (2010)
UEFA - Italy (2012 runners up)
AFC - Japan
CAF - Nigeria (2013 winners)
CONCACAF - Mexico
CONMEBOL - Uruguay
OFC - Tahiti


So Tahiti won the OFC tournament because New Zealand I think had issues with getting some of their European based players over. They got beaten by New Caledonia who then lost to Tahiti. Here's a photo of some New Caledonians.

[stealthpapes]

Yeah, what TBM said.

[TBM]

Sorry, yeah, i meant Italy get it for being Euro runners-up, not WC

[stealthpapes]

I barely watched any football this season, I might make an effort.

[stealthpapes]

quality retro football shirt

[southbank1871]

I assume this is on Sky right?

Is that their actual kit? I might get that.

[stealthpapes]

Sadly not.

[TBM]

I assume this is on Sky right?

Is that their actual kit? I might get that.

BBC have got it, m8

Most games will kick off at around 7.30pm and 11pm our time

[Barry the bird boggler]

Oooh, I can hardly wait for this next round of pointless money making for FIFA

[Deadlock]

So Tahiti won the OFC tournament because New Zealand I think had issues with getting some of their European based players over.

Since Australia left the OFC to join the AFC, there are only 11 members left: American Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tahiti, Tonga and Vanuatu. You're guaranteed a whipping boy in the Confederations Cup from that lot.

[YateleyRoyal]

Probably gonna give this one a miss - i am bored of watching football now, i need a break before the new season starts

This. Gave England Brazil a miss because I really can't be arsed, and it almost felt a chore to watch the u21 last night. It's cricket season now, I'll enjoy that whilst LOLing at the cerazy transfers that are inevitable.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/n ... index.html

[TBM]

lol on second thoughts, i may actually watch the Spain v Tahiti game