FIFA Confederations Cup 2013: Power Ranking Likely Champions in Epic Tournament

The 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is scheduled to begin on Saturday, when host nation Brazil will tangle with Spain for both bragging rights and the chance for an early lead atop the group standings. 

Formerly known as the King Fahd Cup, it's been just over two decades since this tournament began back in 1992, and Brazil has been the most successful nation by far. It has won three Confederations Cups and recorded top-four finishes at two others. 

Group A is expected to be the proving ground for the tournament, while Group B features a tough Spain squad that will be sending a good majority of its players to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup tournament. 

Looking at the field, which team right now has the best chance to win the Cup?

Let's take a look at that question below, and answer a few other questions (scheduling, group listings and more) as well. 

2013 Confederations Cup Schedule

When: Saturday, June 15 to Sunday, June 30

Where: Brazil (various venues)

Watch: ESPN family of networks

*For a complete look at the 2013 Confederations Cup schedule, click here (via FIFA.com). 

2013 Confederations Cup Group Listings

Group A	Group B
Brazil	Spain
Japan	Uruguay
Mexico	Tahiti
Italy	Nigeria

Power Ranking Championship Teams

8. Tahiti

Surprise winners of the 2012 OFC Nations Cup, Tahiti qualified for this event for the first time in its history after shocking the world with its victory. 

Mike McCall's joke about the nation in his preview of the tournament might end up being the highlight once things get under way in Brazil. 

There's always hope for an upset—especially in an event like this—but Tahiti just doesn't have the experience or talent on the roster to contend with Spain, Uruguay or Nigeria in Group B action. 

7. Nigeria

A step above the Tahiti squad but certainly not a contender on paper, Nigeria enters this tournament somewhat impressively. 

The Super Eagles drew even with Mexico in a friendly earlier in the year, and responded positively to that result with a win over Kenya in Round 2 of its qualifying round for the World Cup. 

While a win over Tahiti seems to be a given, it would be surprising to see Nnamdi Oduamadi, Ahmed Musaab and the rest of this Nigerian squad make much more noise than a second- or third-place finish in Group B play. 

6. Mexico

El Tri should be using this tournament as a wake-up call for their entire roster, but even the stakes of the Confederations Cup might not be enough to get Mexico out of its current slump. 

After a draw with Costa Rica—at home, no less—last week, El Tri face coaching questions, questions about the viability of the attack and more about whether or not Chicharito and company have the motivation enough to survive their CONCACAF hexagonal. 

Mexico has just one win in its last seven matches, including five draws and a loss to the United States in a friendly. The win? Jamaica, one of the bottom-feeders of the nation's current World Cup qualifying group. 

There's no doubt this squad has the talent to win matches in international play, but talent alone rarely translates into success. This is a huge tournament for El Tri, but they've done nothing to prove (yet) they are worthy of a high spot on this list in the toughest group of the two. 

5. Uruguay

Uruguay at No. 6 should tell you how highly favored the Group A pool is—we're thru four of the eight teams and only one Group A team winds up near the bottom of this list. 

However, Uruguay is a dark horse to take down Spain or possibly draw even with the heavily favored side at some point during group play, largely because of big wins over France and Venezuela the last two matches out. 

Luis Suarez is the big name on the Uruguayan squad, while fellow big star Edinson Cavani helps pose a huge threat up front for the entire Group B pool and the tournament, for that matter. 

However, it's hard to see Uruguay striking even or taking down Spain in group play, and even less likely that they can strike lightning twice by taking out two more Group A squads that have far more talent and coaching chops. 

4. Japan

Japan is the "sleeper" team of the 2013 Confederations Cup, coming in with a high-quality roster expected to make waves with strong performances against some of the better clubs in the world. 

Led by Manchester United up-and-comer Shinji Kagawa, the Blue Samurai will need to play darn-near perfect soccer to pull off an upset against the host nation in the opening match of the tournament on Saturday. SuperSport had this tweet in anticipation:

If the Japan side can pick up a rare win over Brazil (hasn't beaten the Brazilians in its last nine matches), then we might be looking at a good spot moving forward for a Japan side already entered in the 2014 World Cup. 

For now, No. 4 is a good spot. 

3. Italy

The Azzurri haven't exactly turned heads yet, as a 2-2 draw with Haiti and a scoreless one with the Czech Republic would indicate. 

Currently No. 7 in the FIFA rankings, Italy has a talented roster that includes Mario Balotelli, Andrea Pirlo and Alberto Gilardino, and plenty of cohesiveness with the current collection of other players, too. 

While the draws in the last two matches were concerning, the Azzurri should bounce back and play solid, consistent ball with attacking forwards who are creative and crafty in getting into scoring chances.  

2. Spain

No. 1 in your world rankings, but No. 2 in your power rankings. 

Spain is the best team in the world according to FIFA and for good reason—the Spaniards have won six straight matches and might have won more if their game against Northern Ireland hadn't been postponed. 

With a strong roster littered with stars from different leagues all over Europe (Juan Mata, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa and Xavi, just to name a few), the Spaniards are not to be messed with. 

Spain is easily the best team in Group B, but is it the best team in the Confederations Cup with the shot at the title? Read below to see why not. 

1. Brazil

The home nation has home-field advantage, one of the best players in the world right now (Neymar) and the expectations of success all heaped on its shoulders. 

Below No. 20 in the World Rankings, the squad hasn't lost since February to England and has wins over Bolivia and France during that same stretch. 

A roster with Neymar, Thiago Silva, Hulk, Fred, David Luiz and Oscar might not stand up with Spain's on paper, but the fact that this team is playing virtual home matches and the long-term success it has had at the Confederations Cup (three wins) all come into play. 

So there you have it—eight teams are all vying for the Cup, but only one will remain. Teams will shift as the tournament begins, but for now, this is how the field stacks up. 

Follow Bleacher Report FC Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.