Berne: Although European clubs have condemned the August international friendlies as a waste of time, there is plenty at stake in Wednesday’s first clash between Germany and Brazil for six years before a sell-out crowd of 54,000 in Stuttgart.

Both coaches are eager to pit their teams against strong opponents in one of around 50 friendlies being played around the world on the first international date of the new season and one that the European Clubs Association (ECA) wants abolished.

Elsewhere, Germany’s former coach Juergen Klinsmann makes his debut in charge of the United States, less than two weeks after being appointed. His side will start by attempting to avenge their 4-2 Concacaf Gold Cup final defeat to Mexico in June, which led to the sacking of his predecessor Bob Bradley.

Other high profile clashes include Italy-Spain in Bari and Japan-South Korea in Sapporo, all on Wednesday.

One of Africa’s biggest rivalries will be played out at English second tier club Watford, on Tuesday, where Ghana meet Nigeria.

Ghana have won their last three matches against Nigeria, knocking them out of the 2008 and 2010 African Nations Cups as well and beating them 4-1 in a friendly in London four years ago. The Super Eagles had won the previous five meetings before that.

France host Chile, South America’s most entertaining team, and will attempt to extend their unbeaten run to 11 games.

Last year, the ECA, representing 197 of Europe’s biggest clubs, protested bitterly at the August friendly date, which takes place before many domestic leagues have even kicked off.

ECA president Karl-Heinz Rummenigge described the matches as “nonsense” games and said the international calendar had to be re-designed with input from the European clubs.

Since then, relations between the ECA and Fifa have soured further and, with the Copa America having been played in July, clubs are hardly likely to be happy at having to release players again.