FIFA U-20 World Cup draw held in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, Turkey - The draw for the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup was held Monday at the Grand Tarabya Hotel in Istanbul, handing each of CONCACAF's four representatives challenging opposition.

While Cuba will have the honor of playing in the opening match on June 21 against Korea Republic in Kayseri, the United States received the distinction of being positioned into arguably the most difficult group. The confederation's runner-up will face Spain, France and a yet to be determined African side in Group A.

El Salvador was drawn into Group C, where it meet host Turkey, South American champion Colombia and Australia.

CONCACAF champion Mexico heads Group D, which also consists of Greece, Paraguay and a yet to be determined African team.

"Our rivals are all strong but so are we," said Raul Gonzalez, the team representative for Cuba, which is making its first appearance in the competition. "Our main aim will be to prove to everyone that we can compete on this level. We want to earn ourselves some respect on the international stage."

The 19th edition of FIFA's second most important tournament will be comprised of 52 matches and will be played from June 21 to July 13 in the seven host cities of Antalya, Bursa, Gaziantep, Istanbul, Kayseri, Rize and Trabzon.

"We will show the beauty of our country and our love for football," said Local Organising Committee (LOC) president Servet Yardimci.

FIFA U-20 World Cup 2013 group stage draw:

GROUP A: France, CAF, USA, Spain. GROUP B: Cuba, Korea Republic, CAF, Portugal GROUP C: Turkey, El Salvador, Colombia, Australia GROUP D: Mexico, Greece, Paraguay, CAF GROUP E: Chile, CAF Champions, England, Iraq GROUP F: Oceania Football Confederation champion, Uzbekistan, Uruguay, Croatia

For the definition of the three positions called CAF (Confederation of African Football), a separate draw will take place at the conclusion of the CAF African Youth Championship on March 30 in Oran, Algeria, to determine which group the 2nd, 3rd and 4th place teams from CAF will play in. The CAF champion has already been drawn into Group E.

2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup
June 21 - July 13
Turkey

Schedules of CONCACAF Representatives

CUBA (Group B)

June 21 v Korea Republic, at Kayseri June 24 v CAF, at Kayseri June 27 v Portugal, at Kayseri

EL SALVADOR (Group C)

June 22 v Turkey, at Trabzon June 25 to be scheduled June 28 v Colombia, at Gaziantep

MEXICO (Group D)

June 22 v Greece, at Gaziantep June 25 v Paraguay, at Gaziantep June 28 v CAF, at Gaziantep

UNITED STATES (Group A)

June 21 v Spain, at Istanbul June 24 v France, at Istanbul June 27 v CAF, at Kayseri