Confederations Cup is Mexico’s training for World Cup: Coach Osorio

Mexico City, May 13: The coach of Mexico's national soccer team, Juan Carlos Osorio, has said the 2017 Confederations Cup will be good training for the team ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

According to Mexican sports daily Cancha, Colombian coach Osorio said he expects the 2017 Confederations Cup will help "to become familiar with the World Cup venues and it is also a good opportunity to face Russia, the host of both tournaments, and good teams as Germany, Chile, Australia, among others", reports Xinhua.

The Confederations Cup is "a high-level tournament and a great training for our goal of playing at the next World Cup," he said on Thursday.

Osorio admitted that the tournament will be difficult, saying "we will face it with the best possible team."

Mexican Football Federation (FMF) president Decio de Maria, said he was glad for Mexico's participation in the Confederation Cup, facing the best teams in the world.

"We are happy for playing the tournament with the best teams and to consolidate our national team, knowing that we need to get a ticket for World Cup," De Maria added.