Germans kick-off mini World Cup

LOADED with glamour teams, the Confederations Cup has few friends outside FIFA. The tournament, a warm up for next year’s World Cup in Germany, prevents weary players from taking a summer break.

This time, the eight-nation field features World Cup champions Brazil, South American champions Argentina, powerful Germany and European Championship winners Greece.

FIFA has taken a competition that began as a four-nation event to promote soccer in the Middle East and turned it into a mini World Cup, with the winners of each of its six confederations joining the World champions and the hosts.