GROUP A
BRAZIL
CROATIA
MEXICO
CAMEROON
POSSIBLE STARTING XI
JULIO CESAR
Goalkeeper
The QPR goalkeeper
might be old but old
is gold. He will be in
between the sticks
come game time.
DANI ALVES
Right-back
He goes forward just
as well as he defends,
but he has a tendency
of getting out of
position.
THIAGO SILVA
Centre-back
Highly regarded
as one of the best
defenders in the
world today and a
rock at the back.
DAVID LUIZ
Centre-back
Has unique free-kick
abilities. He’ll display
them when he and
Thiago Silva manage
Brazil’s backline.
THE KEY PLAYER: Neymar, the hottest young superstar off the Brazilian assembly line of attacking talent
BRAZIL
FIXTURES
June 12, Sao Paolo
Versus Croatia
June 17, Fortaleza
Versus Mexico
June 23, Brasilia
Versus Cameroon
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
Host country
WORLD CUP RECORD
1958 Champions
1962 Champions
1970 Champions
1994 Champions
2002 Champions
APPEARANCES
20 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1950,
1954, 1958, 1962, 1966,
1970, 1974, 1978, 1982,
1986, 1990, 1994, 1998,
2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)
FIFA WORLD RANKING
4th (May 2014)
It almost seems unfair that the five-time World Cup
winners and perpetual title contenders finally get to
host the event in their own big, passionate, chaotic
backyard for the first time in well more than half a century.
After tasting success at home with a 2013 Confederations
Cup trophy, the current squad are eager to prove they can
reach the heights of their illustrious forebears and will be
roared forward by the home fans of a truly soccer-obsessed
country.
At the 2013 Confederations Cup final, they flattened
the powerhouse of modern football, Spain, 3-0, producing
an outstanding display of attractive, attacking and brutally
effective football.
There are some slight concerns about this team, though.
Most notably a lack of depth in the centre forward position,
which Fred now looks to have made his own. In central
midfield too, whilst they have physicality and industry with
Paulinho and Luis Gustavo, they are without a ballplayer
to match the calibre of those possessed by Spain, Italy and
Germany.
But on home soil with a carnival crowd raucous for their
heroes, not to mention a wealth of stars like Neymar, Hulk,
Oscar and many more at Scolari’s disposal, it will take a
Herculean effort to prevent Brazil from securing a historic
sixth World Cup triumph.
THE COACH
LUIZ FELIPE SCOLARI
“Big Phil” is arguably the biggest character on
Brazil’s colourful soccer landscape as he guides the
Brazilians into this tournament for the second time. A
demonstrative, no-nonsense and well-travelled type,
Scolari led the boys in yellow to their last World Cup
triumph in 2002 but has even less margin for error this
time amid immense domestic pressure – and fierce
competition from rivals near and far.
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MARCELO
Left-back
Versatile and can play
as either a defender
or attacker, he also
boasts excellent pace
and stamina.
LUIZ GUSTAVO
Centre midfielder
He lacks flair and
creativity, but he
makes up for it with
his steadily improving
technical skills.
FERNANDINHO
Centre midfielder
He is in excellent form
for Manchester City,
playing a role similar
to the one he would
play in this squad.
OSCAR
Attacking midfielder
One of the most
creative and skilful
players in the world
but lacks international
level experience.
HULK
Right winger
When he turns up to
play his mix of size,
speed, strength and
skill is just too much to
pass up.
ALEXANDRE PATO
Striker
He is a force to be
reckoned with. He is
very talented, but his
talent does not always
turn into production.
NEYMAR
Left winger
A very good dribbler,
can score with both
feet and is lighting
quick. He is virtual
lock for the position.