`Mini World Cup` Makes Fans’ Hearts Beat

The 2002 World Cup is approaching with only a year remaining. How will this World Cup, for which Korea and Japan are the joint hosts, come about?

The 2001 Confederations Cup Soccer Tournament, which will be held in Korea and Japan from 30th of May to 10th of June, is for many, the 2002 World Cup preview.

Comparing with the 2002 World Cup in which 32 countries will participate playing 64 games, the Confederations Cup will host 8 counties playing 16 games. Nevertheless, the tournament can be called `a mini World Cup` since it will be held at the 6 World Cup Stadiums in Korea and Japan with a same system as the World Cup.

It is same as the World Cup in that there are A group (Korea, France, Mexico, Australia) and B group (Japan, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada) having qualifying rounds in Korea and Japan. The opening match will be held in Korea while Japan will host the final match.

Hosting the soccer tournaments, Korea and Japan will examine various matters for preparing for the World Cup such as tournament administration, spectator management, traffic, and lodging. It is expected to compare two countries’ tournament administration capacities.

In addition, FIFA has already secured 38.5 million dollars including 18.5 million dollars of broadcasting royalty and the contributions of the official sponsors. It is expected that the tournament will have a great box-office value because its total prize money is 9 million dollars including 2.25 million dollars of winning prize money and 1.5 million dollars for the 2nd place.

Kwon Soon-Il stt77@donga.com