SEOUL A year and a day before they start their defense of the World Cup, reigning world champions France face South Korea on Wednesday to set the Confederations Cup "warm-up" tournament in motion.

On May 31 next year France will kick off the 2002 World Cup finals, so Wednesday's opener in the southern city of Taegu for the eight-team Confederations Cup tournament is an important milestone.

France, South Korea, Australia and cup holders Mexico face each other in their opening round group being held in three of the 10 Korean World Cup venues of Taegu, Suwon and Ulsan.

Japan, Brazil, Cameroon and Canada are playing their matches in two of Japan's 10 World Cup venues of Ibaraki and Niigata.

The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals being played in Suwon and in Yokohama, the venue for next year's World Cup final.

The losing semifinalists meet in a third-place playoff in Ulsan, with the title being decided in Yokohama on June 10.

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The 16 matches in this competition are not only important for the teams likely to be back here along with France next year, but also for the technical staff responsible for running the stadiums and the World Cup itself.

FIFA, world soccer's governing body, will be keeping an eye on all aspects of the Confederations Cup and in many ways the logistical considerations are far more important than what happens on the field.

But all eight teams are keen to do well, and French Coach Roger Lemerre said: "It is good to be playing competitive matches again after so many friendlies.

"This might not be the World Cup, but it is an important stepping stone, and it is always healthy to win another trophy."

According to Reuters, France are without some of their key players like star playmaker Zinedine Zidane and first choice goalkeeper Fabien Barthez, but their squad is still a strong one.

It includes the likes of European cup winners Bixente Lizarazu and Willy Sagnol of Bayern Munich, Patrick Vieira of Arsenal, Christophe Dugarry of Bordeaux and Nicholas Anelka of Paris St. Germain.

Lemerre has also included eight uncapped players in his 23-man squad including Bastia's Frederic Nee, the leading scorer in the French first division this season with 16 goals, and a late stand-in for injured Arsenal forward Thierry Henry.