Prior to the 2014 World Cup, Brazil hosted the Confederations Cup in 2013 from 15 to 30 June. Brazil had already won the tournament in 1997, 2005 and in 2009, and in 2013 won its fourth title when it beat the world and European champions, Spain, in the final in Rio. The six host cities for the tournament were Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador. All were testing stadiums to be used in the 2014 World Cup. Teams that qualified for the tournament included Brazil as the host; Spain as reigning World Champions; Italy from Europe; Uruguay as the champions of South America; Mexico as champions of CONCACAF; Japan as the Asian champions; Tahiti as Oceania champions; and Nigeria as champions of the Africa Cup of Nations. The eight teams were split in to two groups with the top two in each group going forward to the semi-finals. The groups and order they finished in the group stage were:

Group A

1. Brazil (9 points)
2. Italy (6 points)
3. Mexico (3 points)
4. Japan (0 points)

Group B

1. Spain (9 points)
2. Uruguay (6 points)
3. Nigeria (3 points)
4. Tahiti (0 points)

Confederations Cup Results 2013

• Saturday, 15 June (Brazil 3×0 Japan – Opening Game)
• Sunday, 16 June (Spain 2×1 Uruguay)
• Sunday, 16 June (Mexico 1×2 Italy)
• Monday, 17 June (Tahiti 1×6 Nigeria)
• Wednesday, 19 June (Brazil 2×0 Mexico)
• Wednesday, 19 June (Italy 4×3 Japan)
• Thursday, 20 June (Nigeria 1×2 Uruguay)
• Thursday, 20 June (Spain 10×4 Tahiti)
• Saturday, 22 June (Italy 2×4 Brazil)
• Saturday, 22 June (Japan 1×2 Mexico)
• Sunday, 23 June (Uruguay 8×0 Tahiti)
• Saturday, 23 June (Nigeria 0×3 Spain

Semi Final
Wednesday, 26 June (Brazil 2×1 Uruguay)

Semi Final
Thursday, 27 June (Spain 0×0 Italy – Spain win on penalties 7-6)

3rd and 4th place play off
Sunday, 30 June (Uruguay 2×2 Italy – Italy win on penalties 3-2)

The Final
Sunday, 30 June (Brazil 3×0 Spain)