Brazil World Cup 2010 team guide and Squad

The only team to have appeared at every World Cup; five-times winners; runners-up in 1950 and 1998; semi-finalists in 1938, 1974 and 1978. The 1970 team are seen as one of the best teams ever and their fourth goal in the final – a sweeping move involving 83% of the population of Brazil – as one of the greatest ever scored. Have produced players of breathtaking skill such as Pelé, Garrincha and Rivaldo as well as dead-eyed finishers such as Romário.

How Brazil Qualified in World Cup 2010
Comfortable. Finished top of their group with three matches to spare but the process was not as imperious as some would have liked, taking only one point off Bolivia and drawing 0-0 four times.


MANAGER: The nomination of Dunga, in 2006, was highly criticised by the media because of his lack of experience. His results, however, have proven that he is good enough for the job. Dunga likes to play in the 4-2-3-1 formation, but often relies on the 4-3-1-2.

Key Player
MAICON Continuing in a long line of formidable Brazilian full-backs, the Inter Milan star is not so much a defender as one of Brazil's first outlets for attack. Only two players in Serie A had more assists than Maicon last season and if he were not enough, his competition at right-back is Barcelona's Dani Alves.

LUCIO The captain already has a World Cup winner's medal from 2002 and Inter boss Jose Mourinho was quick to snap him up two seasons ago after he fell out with Bayern Munich manager Louis van Gaal. Lucio, like Inter team-mates Maicon and goalkeeper Julio Cesar, goes into the World Cup as a Serie A and Champions League winner.

ROBINHO Included in the squad despite being overshadowed at Santos by team-mates Neymar and Paulo Henrique Ganso, Robinho is still the property of Manchester City so will be looking to impress in South Africa. Although his club form has suffered he started all but three of Brazil's qualifying matches.

WORLD RANKING: 1

GROUP G

Brazil World Cup 2010 Fixtures:

North Korea - 15 June, 7.30pm, Johannesburg
Ivory Coast - 20 June, 7.30pm, Johannesburg
Portugal - 25 June, 3pm, Durban

WORLD CUP BEST
1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002: With their five wins, Brazil are the most successful team in World Cup history.

Brazil World Cup 2010 Squad
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (AS Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham Hotspur);

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Michel Bastos (Olympique Lyon), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (AS Roma), Luisao (Benfica), Thiago Silva (AC Milan);

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Fiorentina), Ramires (Benfica), Elano (Galatasaray), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma), Kleberson (Flamengo), Josue (VfL Wolfsburg);

Forwards: Robinho (Santos), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Nilmar (Villarreal), Grafite (VfL Wolfsburg)

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