SAO PAULO, Brazil - Mexico discovered that it will face host and defending champion Brazil, Italy and Japan in Group A at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, following a draw held on Saturday at the Anhembi Convention Centre in Sao Paulo.

This will be Mexico's sixth appearance in the tournament (1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2005), which it won as host in 1999 by defeating Brazil 4-3 in the final before 110,000 fans at the Estadio Azteca,

The Tricolores will open against Italy, the European runner-up, on June 16 at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. Three days later, Brazil will be the opponent in Fortaleza at the Estadio Castelao. A June 22 encounter against Japan in Belo Horizonte at the Estadio Mineirao will close the Group Stage.

Group B consists of Spain, Uruguay, Tahiti and the next African champion.

Mexico earned its ticket to the Confederations Cup by beating the United States 4-2 in the championship match of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Confederations Cup will be played June 15-30 in six different stadiums throughout Brazil.