The Confederations Cup is just weeks away. While some may consider the tournament a minor one, there is no denying that it creates a great deal of anticipation for the upcoming World Cup. Eight nations will compete for the trophy with each containing their own weaknesses and strengths.
Here is how the team's rank against one another.
1. Spain (World Rank: 1)
The defending World Cup champions are undoubtedly the favorites to win this tournament. They showcase much of the same roster that earned them the 2012 Euro Cup and will be hungry to reinstate Spain as the world's top soccer country after the dual embarrassments endured by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the Champions league.
The biggest question surrounding the team will be its forward situation. Manager Vicente Del Bosque won the Euro Cup without a striker. His top options include David Villa and Fernando Torres, but neither has been reliable over the last year.
2. Italy (World Rank: 8)
The Italians are in this tournament thanks to a second place finish at the Euro Cup. The team still sports grizzled veterans such as Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon. It also includes a more mature Mario Balotelli that has stepped up his game in recent months. This team is more youthful than Spain and that alone could propel them in this competition.
3. Brazil ( World Rank: 19)
The Home squad is a wild card simply because of its youth. Coach Felipe Scolari ignored veterans like Kaka and Ronaldinho, meaning that the pressure will shift to Neymar and Leandro Damiao. No one knows if this club is ready for prime time as Neymar has been inconsistent with his national team in recent outings. This is the first time he is facing major European competition in a tournament; his play in the Olympics last year was against young players.
4. Mexico (World Rank: 16)
El Tri has been terrible in CONCACAF competition, but still sports a team filled with elite players like Javier Hernandez and Giovanni Dos Santos. The team needs those two to step up and create more goals as the squad's recent performances in qualifying have not been promising or inspiring.
5. Japan (World Rank: 30)
The Samurai's have steadily improved their status in World Soccer and enter the tournament with qualification for the 2014 World Cup all but secure. They are drawn into a group with Spain, Tahiti, and Nigeria; this alone gives them a huge advantage in this tournament moving forward.
6. Uruguay (World Rank: 17)
Luis Suarez is the major X-factor for this squad. Uruguay is running a lengthy losing streak in World Cup qualifying competition and is in desperate need of some spark. Diego Forlan is no longer the MVP-caliber player that he was in the 2010 World Cup and the remainder of the team is inconsistent. If Suarez can become the player everyone knows he can be, then Uruguay has a chance.
7. Nigeria (World Rank: 28)
The reigning African Cup champions head into this competition with tremendous confidence, especially given the group they must compete with. Spain will likely pose a huge threat, but the team stands a chance to take down Japan and Tahiti. Nigeria has offensive prowess and speed; look for them to use it.
8. Tahiti (World Rank: 135)
No one is expecting this team to go far, especially as it is representing the weakest soccer confederation. They will surely put up a fight against the competition, but it is unlikely Tahiti makes it out of a group stage. A win would be considered a huge success for this team.
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