MOSCOW, June 15 -- There is still a year to go until a ball is kicked in anger at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, but the competition's official warm-up event is already upon us.

Over the next 17 days, the holders of FIFA's six continental championships, plus the World Cup holders and the host nation, will compete in international football's tournament of champions.

Since its inception in 1997, the Confederations Cup has been won four times by Brazil, twice by France and once by Mexico.

Despite its status as a World Cup dress rehearsal, no previous Confederations Cup holders have gone on to win the World Cup the following year.

Of the previous winners, only Mexico will feature in this year's tournament. Other participants in the 2017 edition are Russia, Germany, Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Portugal and Cameroon.

Xinhua identifies five things to look out for during the June 17-July 2 event, which will be played in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Kazan and Sochi.

MOTIVATED RONALDO

Few players will be as motivated to perform well in this tournament as Portugal's veteran talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.

A year after guiding Portugal to victory in the UEFA European Championship, Ronaldo will know that another title here will put him on course for a second consecutive Best FIFA men's player of the year award.

That would leave him level with his great rival Lionel Messi with five FIFA player of the year accolades (called the FIFA Ballon d'Or from from 2010 to 2017).

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