No rest for top stars as the cup runs over... Reds and Blues facing Confederate challenge: The Confederations Cup: the full competition: lowdown - first game tomorrow, 3pm (BBC 3).

Byline: DAVE PRENTICE

UNECESSARY addition to an already crowded fixture list? Or a prestigious curtain raiser to next summer's World Cup? The Confederations Cup kicks off in Johannesburg tomorrow - leaving followers of Liverpool and Everton with their hearts in their mouths for the next fortnight.

Influential figures like Fernando Torres and Steven Pienaar, Pepe Reina and Tim Howard could see their seasons extended until June 28 by the FIFA backed tournament - barely a week before Everton and Liverpool return to begin their pre-season preparations for next season.

But while football fans locally might have their concerns, the eight-team tournament is here to stay.

And there's no doubting the quality of this year's event.

Brazil include the most expensive footballer in the world in their squad, pounds 56m Kaka joining Robinho, Daniel Alves and Elano, while Italy coach Marcello Lippi says he will use the Confederations Cup to build a team capable of retaining the World Cup next year.

Added to those world heavyweights are the current European champions, Spain, joined by the winners of each of the FIFA confederation championships USA, Iraq, Egypt, New Zealand and next summer's World Cup hosts, South Africa.

Liverpool will have six players involved in the tournament - Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa with Spain and Andrea Dossena in the Italy squad.

Everton have Steven Pienaar as host South Africa's key figure and Tim Howard keeping goal for the USA.

First contested in 1992, the

Confederations Cup evolved from the Artemio Franchi Trophy, contested in 1985 between the winners of the Copa America and European Football Championships.

Originally staged in Saudi Arabia, the host country usually invited various continental champions to take part.

In 1997 FIFA took over the organisation of the tournament, named it the FIFA Confederations Cup, and staged the competition every two years.

Premier League managers have winced ever since.

But despite their concerns, there is no doubt the tournament is high quality.

From 2005 it was decided to stage the event every four years - one year prior to each World Cup in the host country of the forthcoming World Cup.

It is now an effective dress-rehearsal for the World Cup, using around half of the stadia intended for use at the following year's tournament and giving the host nation, who qualify for that tournament automatically, a vital taste of competitive football during two years of friendlies.

While club managers complain, international managers like Marcello Lippi told reporters he was relishing the chance to spend three weeks with his squad in a tournament situation.

"The last time I had the players together for a long period we did not do too badly," joked Lippi referring to the 2006 World Cup.

"We usually get the players only for a short period of time so we will look to use this longer period constructively.

Our immediate objective is to get some form going. I will be using players who are in good physical condition.

"We will be trying to mix a few youngsters with the experienced footballers we have as this is how you blend a team for the World Cup." Spanish striking star David Villa reinforced the esteem in which the tournament is held.

"As reigning European Champions, expectations of us are much higher," he explained.

"We know we've got to go out and defend our style of play.

But we must keep our feet on the ground and take one game at a time, hopefully all the way to the final." Spain will be in Group A with hosts South Africa, as well as New Zealand and Iraq.

It is, on paper at least, the easier of the two groups, which is why the bookmakers have already put Spain in the semi-finals. "If we work as hard as we have up to now, I have no doubts that we'll get through the group stage," predicted Villa.

"But we'll have to give it our all. There are no easy games and, despite their records, these teams will make it very difficult for us as they'll be showing the same passion and determination to reach the final as ourselves. So although we're technically and tactically superior, we'll have to match their desire to win."

WING WONDER: Everton's Steven Pienaar will be playing in front of home crowds

A full history of FIFA's Cup of Confederations

Germany 2005 Winner: Brazil, Runners-Up: Argentina.

After a pulsating final, reigning world champions Brazil laid the foundations for defending their world crown with an emphatic 4-1 victory over South American arch-rivals Argentina.

France 2003 Winner: France, Runners-Up: Cameroon France got back to winning ways on the world stage with a deserved victory in the 2003 tournament. After the disappointment of being knocked out in the first round in Korea/Japan without a win or a goal, the hosts proved they were back to their sumptuous best, scoring 12 goals and winning four of their five matches inside 90 minutes.

Korea/Japan 2001 Winner: France, Runners-Up: Japan Winning is a habit, and in 2001 the World and European champions had not yet kicked that habit.

Despite missing Fabien Barthez and Zinedine Zidane, France could still call on Patrick Vieira, Sylvain Wiltord, Marcel Desailly et al, and they were just too good for the opposition.

Mexico 1999 Winner: Mexico, Runners-Up: Brazil Manuel Lapuente's joyful Mexico side transformed the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup into one long national celebration. The Tricolores deployed an attacking 3-4-3 formation based around Jorge Campos in goal, Claudio Su[sz]rez in defence and the lethal Cuauhtmoc Blanco - Luis Hern[sz]ndez combination up-front.

After topping their group by way of a 5-1 trouncing of Saudi Arabia, a 2-2 draw with Egypt and a 1-0 success over Bolivia, the Mexicans were too good for near-neighbours United States in the semi-finals.

Saudi Arabia 1997 Winner: Brazil, Runners-Up: Australia What could the others do to stop a team with the likes of Dida, Caf, Roberto Carlos, Dunga, Denilson (player of the tournament) Ronaldo and Romario in its ranks? In short, not much. Brazil and their constellation of stars burned bright under the desert sun at the 1997 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the other sides simply could not stand the heat.

Saudi Arabia 1995 Winner: Denmark, Runners-Up: Argentina Pre-tournament favourites and European champions Denmark lived up to their top billing by winning the 1995 King Fahd Cup. With players of the calibre of the storied Laudrup brothers (Michael and Brian), ably supported by Bjorn Kristensen, Mark Strudal and Peter Rasmussen, the Danes were a cut above the rest in the searing heat of Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia 1992 Winner: Argentina, Runners-Up: Saudi Arabia Argentina used this tournament as a useful dress rehearsal for the 1993 Copa Amrica in Ecuador and the 1994 World Cup. Coach Alfio Basile had a plethora of talented players at his disposal, with Sergio Goycochea, Oscar Ruggeri, Fernando Redondo, Leonardo Rodrguez, Diego Simeone, Claudio Caniggia and Gabriel Batistuta all making the long trip..

Zaki ruled out of Cup

EGYPT striker Amr Zaki has been ruled out of the Pharaohs squad for the Confederations Cup, due to a hamstring injury.

Zaki has been replaced by Mohamed Abou Greisha of Ismaili for the competition, which begins on Sunday in South Africa.

Egypt play Brazil in their opening game on Monday.

Although officials say that Zaki is injured, it is also understood that his attitude on the recent trip to Algeria did not impress the coaching team.

Zaki played in the 2010 World Cup qualifier against Algeria on Saturday, which the Pharaohs lost 3-1.

Besides missing the

Confederations Cup, Zaki also missed out on a contract with English Premier league club Wigan, with manager Steve Bruce labelling the player "the most unprofessional I have worked with"..

Luchio eager to win Confed

BRAZIL captain Luchio is determined to win the tournament.

"We're going to fight for the title, that's our goal," he said.

"We have to respect all the other teams but our main objective is to win the tournament. .

We're going to fight for the title, that's our goal. We have to respect all the other teams but our main objective is to win..

"Even though this is a different competition, the two qualifying wins were very important.

These results put us in the best possible frame of mind for the matches ahead."

Up first for Dunga's charges are African champions Egypt in Bloemfontein on Monday.

June..

Webb is our ref in Africa

HOWARD Webb is the Premiership's sole referee at the Confederations Cup, although England officials Peter Kirkup and Michael Mullarkey will be at the tournament as referee's assistants.

Webb, 37, is widely regardless as England's top referee, having recently taken charge of this year's FA Cup final.

He began officiating football matches at the age of 18 and progressed rapidly through the ranks before making his Premier League debut in 2003, taking charge of the match between Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers..Group A 14/06 16:00 Johannesburg South Africa v Iraq 14/06 20:30 Rustenburg New Zealand v Spain 17/06 16:00 Mangaung/Bloemfontein Spain v Iraq 17/06 20:30 Rustenburg South Africa v New Zealand 20/06 20:30 Johannesburg Iraq v New Zealand 20/06 20:30 Mangaung/Bloemfontein Spain v South Africa Group B 15/06 16:00 Mangaung/Bloemfontein Brazil v Egypt 15/06 20:30 Tshwane/Pretoria USA v Italy 18/06 16:00 Tshwane/Pretoria USA v Brazil 18/06 20:30 Johannesburg Egypt v Italy 21/06 20:30 Tshwane/Pretoria Italy v Brazil 21/06 20:30 Rustenburg Egypt v USA Semi-finals 24/25 June. Final on June 28

CAPTION(S):

OUT: Egypt Wigan striker Amr IN CHARGE: Howard Webb SUPERSTAR: Torres will represent Spain in South Africa