All eight participating nations have now confirmed their squad lists for this year’s FIFA Confederations Cup, tagged “Brazil 2013”, world football governing body, FIFA, said on Friday.
According to a statement on its website, FIFA said 184 players have been selected for the competition, with 23 representing each team.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the June 15 to June 30 event is holding in six Brazilian cities with the eight teams grouped into two.
Every confederation is represented at the event also tagged “Festival of Champions”, with the respective continental champions joined by FIFA World Cup holders, Spain, and host nation, Brazil.
While UEFA Euro 2012 runners-up, Italy, are representing Europe, Japan are from Asia and Mexico are from North and Central America.
Nigeria are representing Africa, while Tahiti are Oceania champions and Uruguay are from South America.
Hosts, Brazil, who were winners in 1997, 2005 and 2009, are joined in Group A by Italy, Japan and 1999 winners Mexico.
Nigeria, who were fourth in 1995, are in Group B alongside World Cup holders, Spain, Tahiti and Uruguay.
The FIFA statement said the 184 players selected for the 2013 competition included some of the world’s finest footballers.
It named them to include Neymar and Oscar, both of Brazil, as well as Mario Balotelli, Sebastian Giovinco, Gianluigi Buffon and Andrea Pirlo, all of Italy.
Japan and Mexico also have Keisuke Honda and Javier Hernandez respectively, while world champions, Spain, have the likes of Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Santi Cazorla, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.
South American champions, Uruguay, have Luis Suarez, Diego Forlan and Edinson Cavani, just as Tahiti will lean on skipper Nicolas Vallar and long-serving French Ligue 1 star Marama Vahirua.
“Nigeria have plenty of strength all over the park, most notably in goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama and midfielder Mikel Obi,: the statement said.
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