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In just 12 days, some of the best football teams in the world will converge in South Africa for a practice World Cup.  8 teams will travel to the site of next year's World Cup just to make sure that South Africa is ready.  Today starts a series of blogs that will tell you all things Confederations Cup-related.  Today is simply an overview for those that are new to it and a refresher to those that already know.  So here we go.

I. Qualification

1. World Cup 2006 Winner: Italy

2. UEFA Euro 2008 Winner: Spain

3. CONMEBOL Copa America Winner: Brazil

4. CONCACAF Gold Cup Winner: United States

5. CAF African Cup of Nations Winner: Egypt

6. AFC Asian Cup Winner: Iraq

7. OFC Nations Cup Winner: New Zealand

8. World Cup 2010 Host: South Africa

II. Draw

Pot A: South Africa, Brazil, Italy, Spain

Pot B: Egypt, United States, New Zealand, Iraq

Group A

1. South Africa

2. Iraq

3. New Zealand

4. Spain

Group B 

1. United States

2. Italy

3. Brazil

4. Egypt

III. Venues

1. Johannesburg (Coca-Cola Park): 62, 567

2. Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld Stadium): 50,000

3. Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium): 48,000

4. Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium): 42,000

IV. Schedule

date Time
(US/Eastern)   

Jun 14, 2009 10:00am South Africa vs Iraq
 BBCi, ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 14, 2009 2:30pm New Zealand vs Spain
 BBCi, ESPN 360, ESPN2 

Jun 15, 2009 10:00am Brazil vs Egypt
BBCi, ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 15, 2009 2:30pm USA vs Italy
 BBCi Live  

Jun 17, 2009 10:00am Spain vs Iraq
n ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 17, 2009 2:30pm South Africa vs New Zealand
 ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU

  Jun 18, 2009 9:30am USA vs Brazil
ESPN 360, ESPN2

  Jun 18, 2009 2:30pm Egypt vs Italy
 ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 20, 2009 2:30pm Spain vs South Africa
 ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 20, 2009 2:30pm Iraq vs New Zealand
 ESPN 360

  Jun 21, 2009 2:30pm Italy vs Brazil
 ESPN, ESPN 360 

Jun 21, 2009 2:30pm Egypt vs USA
ESPN 360, ESPN2, ESPNU 

Jun 24, 2009 2:30pm 1A vs 2B

Jun 25, 2009 2:30pm 1B vs 2A

Jun 28, 2009 9:00am Confederations Cup 3rd Place

Jun 28, 2009 8:30pm Confederations Cup Final

Well, I hope this helped you all.  Tomorrow will be the start of my preview for all 8 teams.  I'll do one everyday.  Make sure to check it out, SoccerNation.  It's been Keeper and I'm out.