ZURICH, Switzerland: FIFA approved the schedule and prize money for the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa on Thursday, saying eight nations will compete for $17.6 million in the tournament.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the event will be an ideal test run for the 2010 World Cup organizers and South Africa s infrastructure.
As in Germany in 2005, we are looking forward to a festival of champions and thrilling matches, Blatter said.
With concerns that a new stadium being built in Port Elizabeth will not be ready for the June 14, 2009 kickoff, the Confederations Cup organizing committee approved two different match schedules – one for four stadiums and one for five.
The tournament will bring together the host South Africa, World Cup holder Italy and the champions from the six regional confederations which make up FIFA, world soccer s governing body.
Those include Iraq, Egypt, the United States and Brazil. If Italy wins this year s European Championship, the runner-up will compete in South Africa.
The winner will receive $3.75 million, with $3.25 million going to the runner-up. The teams, ranked fifth to eighth, will each get $1.4 million.
The tournament draw is scheduled for Nov. 22 in Johannesburg. – AP
