Brazil

Five time World Champions Brazil are the only country to have participated in all 19 World Cups, and the only country to have won outside its own continent (1958 & 2002). The World Cup just wouldn't be what it has become with the samba influence.

Dunga's team may be more methodical than in previous years, but there is no doubting their ability to win a sixth Mundial in South Africa.

A Selecao have exchanged Carlos Alberto Perreria's flamboyance for Dunga's discipline following the failure of Germany 2006, and victories in the Copa America in 2007 and the 2009 Confederations Cup suggest the move was a wise one.

On top of that success, the Brazilians finished top of the pile in South American qualifying, and beat Argentina 3-1 away in the process to secure their place in South Africa.

Only Spain can match Brazil's record over the past three years, but there has still been criticism of Dunga and his tactics. The style of play is very reliant on two average holding midfielders, Felipe Melo and veteran Gilberto Silva, while talents like Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato have been omitted.

Failure in South Africa will not be well received among the 192 million people back home.  

WORLD CUP HISTORY

Brazil announced themselves as footballing magicians in 1958, in their first World Cup appearance in the traditional canary yellow of today. Against USSR, Pele and Garrincha were unleashed upon the world and the first three minutes have been described as the greatest the game has seen.  

Of Brazil's five titles (1958, 62, 70, 94 and 2002), 1970 is the most celebrated. An under performing squad arrived in Mexico as something of an unknown quantity, yet feared nonetheless. An XI featuring Pele, Jairzinho, Gerson, Revelino, Tostao and Carlos Alberto dazzled the world throughout and signed off their final win over Italy with the finest team goal ever scored.

SCHEDULE- Group G

Korea DPR     June 15th- Johannesburg

Cote d'Ivoire   June 20th- Johannesburg

Portugal           June 25th- Durban

This is Brazil's toughest group since 1994, but they will still expect to win it with nine points. Brazil are the biggest name in football and the most revered and celebrated country in the sport. Winning is expected, and the despite all the positives that Portugal and Ivory Coast possess, they shouldn't be capable of stopping the Selecao at a World Cup.

The two Portuguese speaking nations are regular opponents in friendlies, and their last took place in November 2008 in Brasilia in front of a crowd of dignitaries, politicians and fat cats. The style was turned on in a 6-2 home win, representing the most calamitous moment of Carlos Queiroz reign in Portugal thus far.

KEY PLAYERS

Dunga has a settled first XI and the the 1994 World Cup winning captain will be hoping no injuries transpire, as in some areas his first choice players are far superior to their replacements.

One of those areas is in atttacking midfield. For Kaka, this is the moment he has been buiding toward. In 2002 he was a member of the squad but only saw a few minutes of insignificant action. In 2006 he was part of a four pronged attack that never sparkled, despite scoring the winner against Croatia. In 2010, he is the star, the central cog that is expected to make the team tick. He worked his magic in South Afirca last summer, but recent injury worries have people questioning his ability to bring the cup home.

Luis Fabiano will be relied upon for goals. The Sevilla striker has had a quiet season but has scored 25 times for his country in 38 games. If anything, the 29 year old knows where the goal is and will get himself in to the right positions if Kaka and Robinho can supply the through balls.

Julio Cesar has become the World's number one goalkeeper in the past season, overtaking Iker Casillas and Gigi Buffon in the process. The combination of he, Lucio and Maicon went a long way to delivering the Champions League for Inter this season. All three are in the Brazil first XI, keeping the likes of Huerelho Gomes and Dani Alves out of the team.

Gilberto Silva may be slowing down at 33 but the Panathanaikos defensive midfielder is as important to Brazil as ever. Himself and Juventus's Felipe Melo are much derided back home but are importants pivots in Dunga's game plan. Gilberto's experience, in a sea of young blood, has been the reason he has been kept around for the last few years, but his importance has never diminished on the pitch.

ONE TO WATCH- Dani Alves

The Barcelona right back will be forced to play second fiddle to a more reliable Maicon for the most part, but when he makes his arrival onto the pitch Alves will provide pace, attacking intent and the ability to score from free kicks.

BEST CASE SCENARIO...

Winners. It's the least that is expected of them, and it would make up for the disappointment of four years ago.

WORST CASE SCENARIO...

Even another quarter final exit, this time potentially against Holland, would be a disaster, especially for Dunga.

PREDICTION

Runners up. Despite the criticism the style will still be on show, as well as the defensive qualities of Lucio and Juan. The combination of flair and organisation is capable of carrying the canary yellows to the final, only to fall to a superior opponent.