(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-03-14 10:25

JOHANNESBURG - A $17.6 million prize fund will be divided among the eight countries in next year's Confederations Cup in South Africa, FIFA announced on Thursday.

The two-week tournament, featuring the world champions, six continental champions and hosts South Africa, is a test event for the 2010 World Cup.

"It is an ideal test run for the organisers of the 2010 World Cup in terms of infrastructure, logistics and services," FIFA President Sepp Blatter said in a statement on the governing body's Web site (www.fifa.com)

The winners will receive $3.75 million and the runners-up $3.25 million, while the team finishing third will get $2.75 million with $2.25-million going to the fourth-placed coutry.

The other participants will each receive $1.4 million.

Five countries have already qualified alongside the hosts - world champions Italy, Copa America winners Brazil, African Nations Cup holders Egypt, Asia Cup victors Iraq and CONCACAF Gold Cup champions the United States.

The final two places will be taken by the winners of June's European Championship in Austria and Switzerland and the Oceania Nations Cup to be decided later in the year.

The Confederations Cup will take place from June 14-28, 2009 with the draw to be made on November 22 in Johannesburg.

The tournament is scheduled for five venues in South Africa but a final decision on Port Elizabeth will be made on April 29.

Construction of a new stadium in the coastal city has been delayed and it might not be ready in time, local officials said this month.