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Russia to stage best ever edition of FIFA Confederations Cup this year — Brazil’s Carlos

Russia aims to provide the highest possible level of organization, Brazil’s famous ex-footballer Roberto Carlos said

Roberto Carlos Portuguese Football Federation

Roberto Carlos

© Portuguese Football Federation

ESTORIL /Portugal/, March 24. /TASS, Oleg Koshelev/. The 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia will be one of the tournament’s best editions as the country aims to provide the highest possible level of organization, Brazil’s famous ex-footballer Roberto Carlos told TASS.

"Russia has prepared very well, both from the stance of the stadiums readiness and infrastructure," Carlos said in an interview with TASS. "It is not clear for everyone yet how much the country had done football fans, footballers, officials and other guests of the championship. This will be one of the best Confederations Cup."

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"Every time Russia sets the target of doing something decently everything turns out eventually to be at the highest possible level," Carlos, who was among the Brazilian national squad to win the inaugural edition of the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1997, said. "I am sure that there will be no problems whatsoever and everyone will be feeling there (in Russia) just like at home."

"Enormous work has been done and I would like to congratulate the Russian government with it," the 43-year-old football star said.

The FIFA Confederations Cup, which is also viewed by experts as a rehearsal a year prior to the FIFA World Cup, will be held between June 17 and July 2 at four stadiums in Russia and they are Spartak Stadium in Moscow, Zenit Arena in St. Petersburg, Fisht Stadium in Sochi and Kazan Arena in Kazan.

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Participants in the 2017 Confederations Cup are hosts Russia, 2014 FIFA World Cup Champions Germany, 2015 Copa America Champions Chile, 2015 AFC Asian Cup Champion Australia, 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup winners Mexico, 2016 UEFA Euro Cup champs Portugal, OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) Nations Cup victors New Zealand and 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Champion Cameroon.

The Draw for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup was held on November 26 in the Russian city of Kazan. Following the event, hosts Russia was placed in Group A alongside with Portugal, Mexico and New Zealand. Group B has brought together Germany, Chile, Australia and Cameroon.

The opening game will be held in St. Petersburg on June 17 between Russia and New Zealand. Russia will face Portugal in Moscow on June 21 and on June 24 it will play Mexico in Kazan.

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