By Paul Nicholson
February 4 – With all the noise around FIFA presidential elections and reform you could be forgiven for forgetting that the Confederations Cup, the warm-up for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is just 500 days away. That is unless you were in the GUM department store by Red Square in Moscow yesterday.
Russian organisers led by chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Minister of Sport of the Russian Federation Vitaly Mutko, with the CEO of the LOC Alexey Sorokin alongside, presented the FIFA Confederations Cup, unveiled the tournament logo and branding, and marked the 500 days to go mark with a call to Russians to embrace the tournaments.
Amid theatrical performances and light shows there was also a call to action from Russian national team stars Artem Dzyuba and Oleg Shatov with a pre-recorded video message in which they invited their future competitors and supporters to Russia.
“We are delighted to play not only at the World Cup but also at the Confederations Cup,” said Dzyuba. “We will be ready. Now you must be ready too, Russia.” Shatov added: “The Confederations Cup will be an important trial run before the World Cup. Come to the stadiums, get behind us and you will love it for sure!”
Guest of honour was French legend Christian Karembeu who brought the Confederations Cup trophy to the stage. Karembeu was winner of the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, as well as of the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA EURO 2000 with France. He brought the Confederations Cup on stage.
The official emblem was revealed which “has been inspired by the tournament’s coveted trophy, representing the dream of the eight competing teams to hold it aloft in Russia next year,” said a FIFA release.
“The FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 Emblem reflects the depth of our culture and the character of our country. The firebird symbolises power, speed and wisdom, while the eight points on the emblem represent the eight participating countries,” Mutko said.
The Confederations Cup will be played June 17 to July 2, 2017, between the six continental champions, Russia as hosts and the 2014 FIFA World Cup winners Germany. Chile, who won the Copa America will represent CONMEBOL, Mexico who won the Gold Cup, will represent CONCACAF, and Australia who won the Asian Cup, will represent the AFC.
They will be joined by the European champions from this summer’s tournament in France, and the African champions who will be decided in January 2017.
Played across the four cities of Kazan, Moscow, Sochi and Saint Petersburg, the Confederations Cup draw will take place November 26 in Kazan. Over 680,000 tickets will be available for the matches and they will go on sale before the end of this year.
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