Germany were pooled with Olympic champions Argentina, African Cup of Nations winners Tunisia and Oceania's finest Australia in Group A but Klinsmann insisted the draw was by no means easy.

"There are no easy opponents," said Klinsmann. "Australia and Tunisia are both good teams and playing against Argentina is always something special."

Germany face Argentina in Dusseldorf in a friendly match on February 9 in what will be an appetiser for this tournament.

"This competition is a warm-up for the 2006 World Cup on home soil and we want to do well," Klinsmann added.

Argentina will face Tunisia in the opening match in Cologne on June 15 with Germany facing Australia in Frankfurt later the same day.

"The Confederations Cup is a big challenge for us," explained Australia manager Frank Farina. "We can learn a lot by playing against some great teams and hopefully this is a good preparation for the 2006 World Cup."

The competition takes on extra significance for Germany, who as hosts do not have to qualify for the World Cup finals and have a shortage of competitive action.

For the other teams it offers a welcome distraction from World Cup qualifiers and the chance to get a feel for Germany ahead of the 2006 World Cup should they manage to qualify.

In Group B, world champions and tournament favourites Brazil come up against European champions Greece, Asian champions Japan and 1999 winners Mexico.

Brazil start the competition with a mouthwatering tussle against Greece in Leipzig on June 16.

"Of course we are particularly looking forward to the duel with Brazil in Leipzig," said Greece's German coach Otto Rehhagel.

"All teams are close to one another in terms of ability and anyone can beat anyone. We proved that in the 2004 European championships."

Meanwhile Japan, finalists in 2001, open up against Mexico on June 16 in Hannover.

Japan coach Zico can also look forward to an emotional clash against his homeland Brazil, where he is an icon, on June 22 in Cologne.

"I am very happy with our group," said Zico. "The game with Brazil is obviously something special for me. But we need to prepare for the other opponents too."

Mexico will be wary of a backlash when they face Brazil on June 19 in Hannover. Mexico shocked Brazil with a 4-3 win to lift the 1999 Confederations Cup.