How do teams qualify for the Confederations Cup?

Eight teams will be taking part in the Confederations Cup in Russia, and here’s how they qualified.

The 2017 Confederations Cup begins on June17. It is being held in Russia, and features eight international teams from across the globe. How do teams qualify for the Confederations Cup?

For starters, Russia qualify automatically as tournament hosts. They will be joined by the six winners of the various FIFA confederation championships, and the current holders of the World Cup.

Germany were the first to join the party, when they defeated Argentina 1-0 in the 2014 World Cup final thanks to an extra-time goal by Mario Gotze. The following January saw Australia win the AFC Asian Cup thanks to a 2-1 extra-time victory over South Korea. This meant the Socceroos claimed one of the berths at the Confederations Cup.

The tournament’s defending champions, Brazil, will not be in Russia as they failed to win the 2015 Copa America. That honor went to Chile, and the other representative from the Americas also booked their place that year.

Mexico beat the USA in the 2015 CONCACAF Cup playoff match to secure their seventh appearance in the Confederations Cup. This is the most of any of the teams taking part in 2017.

New Zealand will be representing Oceania, as they are the current holders of the OFC Nations Cup. It took a penalty shootout win over Papua New Guinea for the All Whites to win the final.

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Portugal lost Cristiano Ronaldo to injury in the 25th minute of the Euro 2016 final. They were still able to defeat France, though, and claim a spot at their first ever Confederations Cup. That just leaves the African representative, and that place went to Cameroon. The Indomitable Lions won the African Cup of Nations in February, and they complete the tournament lineup.