As reigning World Cup holders, Italy will enter the tournament in the summer of 2009 along with Spain, USA, Brazil, Egypt, Iraq, New Zealand and hosts South Africa.

“There is great technical quality in this contest and it will be very important also to take the right approach to a World Cup that will have new elements, especially in a logistical sense.”

The 2010 finals will be the first ever to be staged in Africa and Lippi wants to take this as an opportunity to test out the climate.

“We will face it with the usual determination, respecting our prerogatives and a group of top class opponents.

“We’re aware that we can take another step in our development for qualification, which remains one of our two principle objectives,” said Lippi, the other being victory in the World Cup.

The draw for the Confederations Cup will be made on Saturday and is considered by many a dry run for the stadiums used in 2010.

“I don’t think it is just a test, but rather an opportunity for all the participants to see where they are against other probable contenders 12 months from the big moment.

“I consider it a tournament of great interest under every aspect and we certainly won’t be lacking motivation.”

However, Lippi also admits that he will not be fielding his strongest Azzurri squad in the Confederations.

“It will be a mixed bag, let’s say, with younger players and more experienced ones.

“Our project is to build a squad of 30 players who can guarantee the Nazionale quality, identity and consistency in terms of performance.”