President Vladimir Putin will attend the Group A opening match on June 17 in St. Petersburg's Krestovsky Stadium between Russian Federation and Oceania champions New Zealand.
Russian Federation eventually broke the deadlock in the 30th minute as Denis Glushakov was played through on goal by Fyodor Smolov and lobbed on-rushing Marinovic.
With an average ball possession of over 60 percent in the first half and numerous attempts on the net of New Zealand, both teams retreated for the break with 1-0 flashing on the scoreboard.
Playing in the tournament for the first time, Russian Federation were on the front foot and had two early chances cleared off the line in the opening 10 minutes.
Without a win in 10 Confederations Cup matches, New Zealand next play Mexico on Wednesday in Sochi.
Prior to attending the match at the 68,000-capacity sold-out Krestovsky Stadium, neither Matt nor Fred had ever been at a "real football ground" of that size, noting that all the soccer stadiums in New Zealand are shared with rugby teams, or worse - converted from cricket pitches.
The hosts had a positive start to the tournament which serves as a test run of facilities ahead of the FIFA World Cup to be hosted them in 2018.
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The brothers took turns climbing on top of a water cooler to see over the crowd and jumped with delight as Curry's bus went by. James teamed up with All Stars Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh on the Miami Heat to win his first championship in 2012.
With three points, Russian Federation will next face Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in Moscow on Wednesday. The European champion opens its Group A program on Sunday against Mexico in Kazan.
It was the ideal start for the Russians in a game played at the new Krestovsky Stadium, where President Vladimir Putin and Federation Internationale de Football Association chief Gianni Infantino both gave speeches before kick-off.
Alexander Yerokhin sparked the attack with an interception around 30 yards from goal, and his pass was helped on by Poloz into the path of Denis Glushakov.
The start of the FIFA Confederations Cup football tournament is a great holiday for entire Russia, Sports Minister Pavel Kolobkov said on Saturday. Tommy Smith then tidied up when Poloz poked a close-range shot slowly past Marinovic.
Putin, who urged Russian Federation to improve their performances in the build-up to the tournament, seemed to enjoy the match and was seen happily applauding Smolov's strike as he sat in the stands alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
From Russia's fourth corner, defender Viktor Vasin's header saw the ball spin off a post and across the goalmouth before Michael McGlinchey cleared.
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