RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — Brazil's defence minister says military personnel from all three branches of the armed forces will take part in stepped-up patrols of the country's land borders ahead of next year's Confederations Cup football tournament.

Speaking Tuesday in the capital of Brasilia, Celso Amorim declined to provide details about the timing or exact location of the operation, citing security concerns. But he says about 20,000 troops will take part in the operation.

The Confederations Cup is an eight-team warm-up tournament ahead of the 2014 World Cup, which Brazil is also hosting. The Confederations Cup will be played June 15-30 in six Brazilian cities.

Brazil is South America's largest nation and shares land borders with 10 countries.

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