2003 FIFA Confederations Cup

Also known as FIFA Confederations Cup 2003

6th FIFA Confederations Cup, held in France

Key facts

Host country: France
Dates: 18–29 June
Teams: 8 (from 6 confederations)
Venue: 3 (in 3 host cities)
Champions: France (2nd title)
Runners up: Cameroon
Third place: Turkey
Fourth place: Colombia
Goals scored: 37 (2.31 per match)
Attendance: 491,700 (30,731 per match)
Top scorer: Thierry Henry (4 goals)
Best player: Thierry Henry
Fair play award

Article

The 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup football tournament was the sixth FIFA Confederations Cup, held in June 2003. Hosts France retained the title they had won in 2001, but the tournament was overshadowed by the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc-Vivien Foé, who died of heart failure in his side's semi-final against Colombia. Foé's death united the French and Cameroonian teams in the final match, which was played even though players from both sides had explicitly stated that the match should not be played out of respect for Foé. France went on to win with a golden goal from Thierry Henry.

At the presentation of medals and trophies, two Cameroon players held a large photo of Foé and a runner-up medal was hung to the edge of the photo. When French captain Marcel Desailly was presented with the Confederations Cup, which he held in unison with Cameroon captain Rigobert Song. Foé finished third in media voting for player of the tournament and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Ball at its conclusion.