FIFA releases official Confederations Cup lineups
In total, eight teams will participate in the competition, which begins on the 15th; Brazil maintains the 23 players registered for the game against England, but without the call-up of Jô, from Atlético Mineiro, who could replace Leandro Damião, affected by an injury.
Vitor Abdala
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro – The International Federation of Football (FIFA) released this Friday morning (7) the official lineups of the eight teams that will participate in the 2013 Confederations Cup, which starts on the 15th. Brazil maintains the 23 players registered for the game against England. However, FIFA does not include the call-up of the player Jô, from Atlético Mineiro, who could replace Leandro Damião, affected by an injury.
The reigning world champions, Spain, are coming to Brazil with players such as Iniesta, Xavi, Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets, David Villa, Fernando Torres, and Gerard Piqué. Italy brings names like goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and players Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli, and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Neighboring Uruguay will feature players familiar to Brazilians, such as Diego Lugano and Diego Forlán, as well as Luis Suarez. Among Mexico's stars are Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, Andres Guardado, and Giovani dos Santos.
Keisuke Honda, from the Russian team CSKA Moscow, is Japan's star player, while Nigeria brings Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mickel as its star. Tahiti, making its Confederations Cup debut, brings a team of unknowns, but striker Steevy Chong Hue became a national hero after scoring the winning goal in the Oceania final against New Caledonia last year.
Editing: Lílian Beraldo