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Confederations Cup: Factfile
Ahead of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup which takes place in South Africa from 14th-28th June, Goal.com's Amoy Ghoshal brings to your notice a few facts and figures on the competition.
13-Jun-2009 9:23:54 PM
1. The
Confederations Cup was originally started by Saudi
Arabia and was called the King Fahd
Cup, which was played in Saudi Arabia.
It comprised of Saudi Arabia
and a few continental champions. It was held in this format in 1992 and
1995 but from 1997 it became a FIFA organized tournament and was named
FIFA Confederations Cup.
2. Between 1997 and 2003 it was held every two years involving the world champions, continental champions from six different confederations and the host nation. However from 2005 it was decided to be held every four years, one year before every World Cup and in the host country of the forthcoming World cup.
3. Three teams have withdrawn their participation from this tournament in the past. During the 1997 edition, European champions Germany withdrew from the tournament and were replaced by Euro 96 runner up Czech Republic. In 1999, world champions France didn’t take part and were replaced by World Cup runner up Brazil. As Brazil were also the South American champions, Copa America runner up Bolivia were allowed to enter the competition. In the 2003 edition, France entered the tournament as both European champions and host, so that left a place for World Cup runner up Germany, as world champions Brazil were already in the tournament. But Germans withdrew from the event for the second time, allowing 2002 World Cup third placed team, Turky to take part.
4. Brazil and Mexico have made a record five appearances in this tournament. Brazil have also won it the most number (2) of times along with France. Argentina, Denmark and Mexico are the other winners of this competition. France are also the only team to have retained the title (01, 03)
5. Cuauhtemoc Blanco of Mexico and Ronaldinho of Brazil jointly hold the record of scoring the most goals in the history of this tournament with nine each. Among the players who would be playing in this edition Robinho has the most goals (2).
6. The 2003 edition was overshadowed by the sudden death of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe who died of heart failure during his team’s semi final clash against Colombia. Cameroon went on to win the semi but lost in the final to France, however Foe was voted by the fans as the third best player of the tournament.
7. Brazil are the only world champion who failed to win the tournament. This also happened in 03, when the South American giants entered the tournament by the virtue of their 02 World Cup success but couldn’t win the Confederations Cup, the following year. Mexico (99) and France (03) are the only two host nations who won the tournament.
8. This edition will make South Africa the first African country to host the tournament. Also for the first time two African countries (Egypt and South Africa) will take part in one edition.
9. Three out of the eight participating nations- Iraq, Spain and Italy will be making their debut in this competition. The tournament will be held in four different venues which is one less than the number used in the last edition.
10. Brazil are the only former winner while USA have finished third on two out of their previous three entries. South Africa and Egypt have appeared once before while New Zealand will make their third appearance.
Amoy Ghoshal
2. Between 1997 and 2003 it was held every two years involving the world champions, continental champions from six different confederations and the host nation. However from 2005 it was decided to be held every four years, one year before every World Cup and in the host country of the forthcoming World cup.
3. Three teams have withdrawn their participation from this tournament in the past. During the 1997 edition, European champions Germany withdrew from the tournament and were replaced by Euro 96 runner up Czech Republic. In 1999, world champions France didn’t take part and were replaced by World Cup runner up Brazil. As Brazil were also the South American champions, Copa America runner up Bolivia were allowed to enter the competition. In the 2003 edition, France entered the tournament as both European champions and host, so that left a place for World Cup runner up Germany, as world champions Brazil were already in the tournament. But Germans withdrew from the event for the second time, allowing 2002 World Cup third placed team, Turky to take part.
4. Brazil and Mexico have made a record five appearances in this tournament. Brazil have also won it the most number (2) of times along with France. Argentina, Denmark and Mexico are the other winners of this competition. France are also the only team to have retained the title (01, 03)
5. Cuauhtemoc Blanco of Mexico and Ronaldinho of Brazil jointly hold the record of scoring the most goals in the history of this tournament with nine each. Among the players who would be playing in this edition Robinho has the most goals (2).
6. The 2003 edition was overshadowed by the sudden death of Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe who died of heart failure during his team’s semi final clash against Colombia. Cameroon went on to win the semi but lost in the final to France, however Foe was voted by the fans as the third best player of the tournament.
7. Brazil are the only world champion who failed to win the tournament. This also happened in 03, when the South American giants entered the tournament by the virtue of their 02 World Cup success but couldn’t win the Confederations Cup, the following year. Mexico (99) and France (03) are the only two host nations who won the tournament.
8. This edition will make South Africa the first African country to host the tournament. Also for the first time two African countries (Egypt and South Africa) will take part in one edition.
9. Three out of the eight participating nations- Iraq, Spain and Italy will be making their debut in this competition. The tournament will be held in four different venues which is one less than the number used in the last edition.
10. Brazil are the only former winner while USA have finished third on two out of their previous three entries. South Africa and Egypt have appeared once before while New Zealand will make their third appearance.
Amoy Ghoshal
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