
With less than a week to go before the FIFA Confederations Cup kicks off in South Africa, the countdown has began in earnest now all 184 players' list to compete in the tournament have been named.
The "Festival of the Champions" begins on 14 June with a Group A match between hosts South Africa and Asian Cup champions Iraq in the opening game at Ellis Park in Johannesbur! g, closely followed by a clash between Oceania champions New Zealand and European titleholders Spain in Rustenburg on the same day.
The four sides in Group B will enter the fray the following day, with USA meeting World Champions Italy in Tshwane/Pretoria followed by Copa América title holders and defending champions Brazil, who will be taking on African champions Egypt in Mangaung/Bloemfontein.
16 matches in total will be played in the four host cities around South Africa in the curtain raiser for the 2010 FIFA World Cup . The final will be held at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg on 28 June.
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(Pictured right) Italy's Gennaro Gattuso unveils the new 'maglia azzurra'.