Sports

Confederations Cup: The participants

Eight teams have traveled to Russia for the Confederations Cup. Portugal, Chile, Cameroon, Mexico, Australia and New Zealand join hosts Russia and World Cup champions Germany in the 15-day tournament.

Hosts and outsiders

Russia have not fared well when it comes to big international tournaments. They missed out on the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and didn't make it out of the group stage in the 2014 edition. They also were sent home early in the 2012 and 2016 European championships, so the fans' expectations are low. Former Schalke player Roman Neustädter did not make it into the final squad.
Former goalkeeper with Bundesliga experience

Stanislav Cherchesov is also a familiar name in Germany. The 53-year-old coach played 57 Bundesliga games for Dynamo Dresden between 1993 and 1995. The former goalkeeper made 49 international appearances for the USSR, CIS and Russia. He has only been Russia's head coach since August 2016.
The minnows

Although some wonder whether playing yet another summer tournament makes sense, the New Zealanders are excited about the rare opportunity to compete against major footballing nations. The champions of Oceania are hoping for a similar upset as the 1-1 draw they achieved against Italy at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The go-to goal scorer

The captain and the top goal scorer for the "All Whites" is forward Chris Wood. The 25-year-old, who got a sniff at Premier League football with Leicester City between 2013 and 2015, played for Leeds United in the Championship last season. He scored 13 times in 35 games and has 18 career goals in 42 international appearances.
The best in the world

Does Wood mean as much to New Zealand as Cristiano Ronaldo means for Portugal? Possibly! Ronaldo is the pivital player for Portugal and is considered one of the world's best. The fact that Real Madrid gave the 32-year-old the odd night off in the spring, means he should be at his best going into this Confed Cup.
Another title for Portugal?

The European champions have taken their best squad to Russia. Fernando Santos' team have all the stars on board, something that makes them a legitimate contender to reach the final in Saint Petersburg - and potentially lift the trophy. One team that could stand in their way are Mexico, who are their first opponents.
Skilled and dangerous

The Mexicans are one of the strongest teams in the tournament as all of their big names are there. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is relatively inexperienced, but Mexico have a potent attack, including Hirving Lozano, who plays in Mexico for Pachuca, to Carlos Vela of Real Sociedad in Spain. Veterans Rafael Marquez and Oribe Peralta can be useful off the bench.
Mexico's poster boy

Their biggest star is Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who is expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, after two seasons in the Bundesliga. The "Little Pea" became Mexico's all-time goal scorer after scoring his 47th in a recent friendly against Croatia. His friend, Marco Fabian of Eintracht Frankfurt, is the other Bundesliga player in their squad.
Germany

Germany, are the favorites to win Group B - at least on paper. Only three players from their 2014 World Cup-winning team are in the squad: Skhodran Mustafi, Matthias Ginter and Julian Draxler. The core of the German national team have the summer off, while a number of hopeful youngsters will look to take the opportunity to impress coach Joachim Löw.
A high-level exhibition

Joachim Löw (second from left) was not particularly thrilled about this tournament at first. However, after the recent games against Denmark and San Marino, he seemed more enthusiastic. "It is a welcome opportunity to acquire more experience and give instructions on-site. It also expands the players' horizons.
Just like 12 years ago

Like 2005, when Germany hosted the Confed Cup, Germany's first opponent is Australia. That match was an entertaining 4-3 win for Germany in Frankfurt. The "Socceroos" qualified this time as Asian champions. Although they have some players who play their club football in Europe, many many of them are based in Australia.
The last Mohican

Tim Cahill, 37, is the squad's elder statesman. The former Everton man had stops in New York and China before winding up with Melbourne City of the A-League. Cahill was part of the Australian team that played in 2005, and also played for the "Socceroos" in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Double Copa America winners

The team that has had the most success recently is Chile. "El Roja" won the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina in both finals. The Chileans are an difficult opponent to play against. They are comfortable on the ball, filled with strength and are not afraid to get physical with their opponents.
King Arturo and Prince Charles

Midfielders Arturo Vidal (top) of Bayern Munich and Charles Aranguiz (bottom left) of Bayer Leverkusen form the heart of Chile's midfield. Eduardo Vargas also spent time in the Bundesliga, but never really broke through at Hoffenheim. He plays up front next to Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.
The young lions

The heyday of the "Indomitable Lions" has long since come and gone. Samuel Eto'o has retired, and former Bundesliga players Joel Matip and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting are also not on the team. But Cameroon will have high hopes as they travel to Russia on the back of their Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
German second division to the world stage

The most noteworthy players from a German perspective are former Stuttgart player Georges Mandjeck and Jacques Zoua (pictured) of second-division side Kaiserslautern. Both part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Hosts and outsiders

Russia have not fared well when it comes to big international tournaments. They missed out on the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and didn't make it out of the group stage in the 2014 edition. They also were sent home early in the 2012 and 2016 European championships, so the fans' expectations are low. Former Schalke player Roman Neustädter did not make it into the final squad.
Former goalkeeper with Bundesliga experience

Stanislav Cherchesov is also a familiar name in Germany. The 53-year-old coach played 57 Bundesliga games for Dynamo Dresden between 1993 and 1995. The former goalkeeper made 49 international appearances for the USSR, CIS and Russia. He has only been Russia's head coach since August 2016.
The minnows

Although some wonder whether playing yet another summer tournament makes sense, the New Zealanders are excited about the rare opportunity to compete against major footballing nations. The champions of Oceania are hoping for a similar upset as the 1-1 draw they achieved against Italy at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The go-to goal scorer

The captain and the top goal scorer for the "All Whites" is forward Chris Wood. The 25-year-old, who got a sniff at Premier League football with Leicester City between 2013 and 2015, played for Leeds United in the Championship last season. He scored 13 times in 35 games and has 18 career goals in 42 international appearances.
The best in the world

Does Wood mean as much to New Zealand as Cristiano Ronaldo means for Portugal? Possibly! Ronaldo is the pivital player for Portugal and is considered one of the world's best. The fact that Real Madrid gave the 32-year-old the odd night off in the spring, means he should be at his best going into this Confed Cup.
Another title for Portugal?

The European champions have taken their best squad to Russia. Fernando Santos' team have all the stars on board, something that makes them a legitimate contender to reach the final in Saint Petersburg - and potentially lift the trophy. One team that could stand in their way are Mexico, who are their first opponents.
Skilled and dangerous

The Mexicans are one of the strongest teams in the tournament as all of their big names are there. Goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is relatively inexperienced, but Mexico have a potent attack, including Hirving Lozano, who plays in Mexico for Pachuca, to Carlos Vela of Real Sociedad in Spain. Veterans Rafael Marquez and Oribe Peralta can be useful off the bench.
Mexico's poster boy

Their biggest star is Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, who is expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen in the summer, after two seasons in the Bundesliga. The "Little Pea" became Mexico's all-time goal scorer after scoring his 47th in a recent friendly against Croatia. His friend, Marco Fabian of Eintracht Frankfurt, is the other Bundesliga player in their squad.
Germany

Germany, are the favorites to win Group B - at least on paper. Only three players from their 2014 World Cup-winning team are in the squad: Skhodran Mustafi, Matthias Ginter and Julian Draxler. The core of the German national team have the summer off, while a number of hopeful youngsters will look to take the opportunity to impress coach Joachim Löw.
A high-level exhibition

Joachim Löw (second from left) was not particularly thrilled about this tournament at first. However, after the recent games against Denmark and San Marino, he seemed more enthusiastic. "It is a welcome opportunity to acquire more experience and give instructions on-site. It also expands the players' horizons.
Just like 12 years ago

Like 2005, when Germany hosted the Confed Cup, Germany's first opponent is Australia. That match was an entertaining 4-3 win for Germany in Frankfurt. The "Socceroos" qualified this time as Asian champions. Although they have some players who play their club football in Europe, many many of them are based in Australia.
The last Mohican

Tim Cahill, 37, is the squad's elder statesman. The former Everton man had stops in New York and China before winding up with Melbourne City of the A-League. Cahill was part of the Australian team that played in 2005, and also played for the "Socceroos" in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Double Copa America winners

The team that has had the most success recently is Chile. "El Roja" won the Copa America in 2015 and 2016, defeating Lionel Messi's Argentina in both finals. The Chileans are an difficult opponent to play against. They are comfortable on the ball, filled with strength and are not afraid to get physical with their opponents.
King Arturo and Prince Charles

Midfielders Arturo Vidal (top) of Bayern Munich and Charles Aranguiz (bottom left) of Bayer Leverkusen form the heart of Chile's midfield. Eduardo Vargas also spent time in the Bundesliga, but never really broke through at Hoffenheim. He plays up front next to Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.
The young lions

The heyday of the "Indomitable Lions" has long since come and gone. Samuel Eto'o has retired, and former Bundesliga players Joel Matip and Erik Maxim Choupo-Moting are also not on the team. But Cameroon will have high hopes as they travel to Russia on the back of their Africa Cup of Nations triumph.
German second division to the world stage

The most noteworthy players from a German perspective are former Stuttgart player Georges Mandjeck and Jacques Zoua (pictured) of second-division side Kaiserslautern. Both part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in January.

Date 16.06.2017
Number of pictures 16
Author Andreas Sten-Ziemons (dv)
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Sports

Confederations Cup: The participants

Hosts and outsiders

Former goalkeeper with Bundesliga experience

The minnows

The go-to goal scorer

The best in the world

Another title for Portugal?

Skilled and dangerous

Mexico's poster boy

Germany

A high-level exhibition

Just like 12 years ago

The last Mohican

Double Copa America winners

King Arturo and Prince Charles

The young lions

German second division to the world stage