BRASILIA: After months of angst over preparation delays, Brazil steps into the global spotlight on Saturday when it kicks off the Confederations Cup, a key test of its readiness to stage the World Cup next year. Six Brazilian cities: Brasilia, Belo Horizonte, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio and Salvador are hosting the two-week soccer tournament, expected to attract some 355,000 Brazilians and foreign tourists. Brazil, winner of the previous edition in South Africa in 2009, has this year dropped to a new low of 22nd in the rankings of world football's governing body FIFA. The Selecao is given little chance of lifting the trophy this time around. The other contenders are current World Cup holders and...
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