Turkey accept Confederations Cup invitation

Turkey have accepted an invitation to play in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup competition in France.

Field complete
FIFA said that the participation of Turkey, who finished third in this summer’s FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan, meant that the field was complete for the event, which will take place between 18 and 29 June 2003.

European and world champions
World football’s governing body said that Turkey would join the reigning European champions and Confederations Cup holders France, 2002 world champions Brazil, Colombia (from the South American confederation CONMEBOL), Cameroon (African confederation CAF), the United States (North and Central American confederation CONCACAF), New Zealand (Oceania confederation OFC) and Japan (Asian confederation AFC).

Four venues
The eight teams will play matches in Lyon (Stade Gerland), Paris (Parc des Princes), Saint-Denis (Stade de France) and St-Etienne (Stade Geoffroy-Guichard). The FIFA Confederations Cup features successful teams from world and continental championships, and is played every two years.

Germany in 2005
The 2002 World Cup runners-up Germany have declined to take part in the 2003 Confederations Cup for domestic and international fixture list-related reasons. However, Germany is set to host the 2005 competition as a dress rehearsal for the 2006 World Cup.