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SteemSports Presenter: @timoshey

SteemSports Editor: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM Witness & PeerPlays Witness.

The 2017 FIFA Confederations cup will be played in Russia from the 17th of June to the 2nd of July 2017. The FIFA Confederations Cup is an international men's football tournament organized by FIFA every 4 years and this year's tournament will be the 10th FIFA Confederations Cup.

A total of 8 teams from 6 confederations will compete in this tournament. Russia qualified automatically for the tournament enjoying the privilege of being the host. They are joined by the winners of the 6 FIFA Confederation championships and Germany who won the 2014 FIFA World Cup. I will now go through the qualified teams and how they qualified.

Russia

Russia was the first team to secure qualification when they were awarded the hosting rights of the 2018 FIFA World Cup on the 2nd of December 2010. The country that is to host the World Cup automatically will host the Confederations Cup also.

Germany

Germany was the first team to qualify via competition when they defeated Argentina 1-0, in extra time to clinch the 2014 FIFA World Cup that was played in Brazil. That was the Germans Fourth World title, just one behind Brazil who can boast off an amazing Five World titles.

Australia

The 2015 AFC Asian Cup Final pitched Australia against South Korea. Australia won that match 2-1, after extra time. That was their first Asian Cup Championship. They previously played in the Oceania Football Confederation but moved, in 2006.

Chile

Chile also qualified for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in the 2015 Copa America Final after they defeated Argentina 4-1 via a penalty shoot-out, following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

Mexico

Mexico, the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup defeated the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup Champions, the United States 3-2 after extra time and thereby secured their qualification for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

New Zealand

The 2016 OFC Nations Cup Final witnessed New Zealand face Papua New Guinea. The match ended 4-2 on penalty shootout in favor of New Zealand following a 0-0 draw after extra time.

Portugal

Portugal also secured their spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup after they defeated host nation, France, 1-0 after extra time in the 2016 UEFA Euro Final.

Cameroon

Cameroon was the eighth team to qualify after defeating Egypt 2-1 in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations Final.

There will only be 8 teams participating in this tournament, these teams have been grouped into two groups, Group A and Group B.

Group A

Russia

New Zealand

Portugal

Mexico

Group B

Cameroon
Chile
Australia
Germany

The winners and runners-up of each group will proceed to the semi-finals and the two victorious teams in the semi-finals will lock horns in the Final which will take place on the 2nd of July 2017. So, we are left with some questions... can Russia join Mexico, France and Brazil as the only 3 nations to have hosted and won the Competition? Can Germany continue their world domination by conquering the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup just as they did in the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Can Australia and Cameroon better their runners-up finish in the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997 and 2003 respectively? Can Chile, Portugal and New Zealand reach the final of the Confederations Cup for the first time? Can Mexico win the tournament for the second time and tie France in second place for the most FIFA Confederations Cup?

Who are you backing to win the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup?

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