Big-time football is back in Sambaland after a mind-boggling 64 years. Not since the 1950 World Cup have Brazil hosted a major football championship.
In what is a rehearsal on various counts, the Confederations Cup 2013 kicks off in Brazil and will be followed by the biggest one of them all, the FIFA World Cup in 2014.
Eight top nations which include the hosts, World Cup winners and six continental champions, will cross swords to assess their relative strengths. When a team meets more than one criteria, a runner-up team of the same continent is given the chance to play.
FIFA has the opportunity to assess the readiness of the hosts to organise the World Cup in relation to the stadiums, the facilities, hotels, and ticketing. This has been the norm since 2005 when FIFA decided to have this event in the country which will be hosting the World Cup the following year.
Apart from the merits of the contesting teams, the tournament, which was known as the King Fahad Cup in 1992 and 1995 and later became the Confederations Cup, has some very intriguing and interesting facts hidden in its chapters.
Just as the only 5-time World Cup winners Brazil have never won the Olympic Games football gold, four time World Cup winners Italy, thrice winners Germany and twice champions Uruguay have never won the Confederations Cup. Italy have never even figured among the top four, let alone win it and while Germany, Uruguay and Spain have been runners-up once each.
Incidentally, Brazil thrice (1997, 2005, 2009), France twice (2001, 2003), Argentina (1992), Denmark (1995) and Mexico (1999) are the only nations to have claimed it.
In football-crazy Brazil, finishing second is as good as nothing. When they hosted the World Cup for the first time, and last till now, in 1950, they lost in the final to arch-rivals Uruguay before 2,25,000 fans crammed in the gigantic Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
Now comes the chance for them to beat the Samba drums and encourage their national team at home twice. With a very young and talented bunch led by the magical Neymar, Brazil have Italy, Mexico and Japan for company in group A.
World Cup holders Spain, an ageing team take on former another South American giant Uruguay, Nigeria and Tahiti in group B. Hosts Brazil should finish on top. Mexico beat Brazil 2-1 in the Olympic Games gold medal game in London and have the capacity to upset the Italians for the second spot with Japan visiting Brazil for valuable experience. Spain and Uruguay appear to be far too strong for African champs Nigeria and Tahiti, who came through the Oceania group. With Brazil being the hosts, Uruguay come in as the South American champions.
It could well be Brazil-Uruguay and Spain-Mexico in the semis.
The six continental champions, one World Cup winner and the host nation are gearing up for battle.
They have announced their 23-man squads for the Confederations Cup 2013 in Brazil, a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup 2014 which is also to be organised in Brazil.
As such, South Americans have plenty to cheer about what with Brazil and Uruguay in the fray. World Cup winner Spain and Italy represent Europe to carry forward the South America versus Europe tussle. After all, that is what world football is all about. Central America has Mexico to cheer for, Asia has Japan, Africa go with Nigeria and Oceania has a new representative in Tahiti.
Neymar, Oscar, David Luiz, Dani Alves and Hulk are some of the famous Brazilian names while Luis Suarez, the controversial Liverpool star, who scored 23 goals during the last Premier League season, and the top scorer Diego Forlan lead the Uruguayan challenge.
Spain rely on their old war horses Fernando Torres, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa, Fabregas, though the exciting Mata is yet to explode on the international stage.
The Italians, in contrast, are a combination of youth and experience with Andrea Pirlo and Daniele De Rossi leading a pack of youngsters like Mario Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo and Stephan El Shaarawy.
All eyes will be on Keisuke Honda and Yasuhito Endo for Japan while Mexico will be looking to Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez to deliver.
Nigeria are full of fresh faces and emerging stars with John Obi Mikel and Joseph Akpala the experienced stars in their line-up. Tahiti depend on Steevy Chong Hue, Teaonui Tehau and Marama Vahirua who starred in their campaigns.