Brazil, led by their coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who previously led the Seleçao to the title in the USA in 1994, has a plethora of talent available in every position on the pitch as the current World Cup champions hope to take home their sixth World Cup title.

Brazil had a successful qualifying campaign. They came from behind to finish top of the South American (CONMEBOL) group ahead of Jose Peckerman’s Argentina, and fellow South American finalists Paraguay and Ecuador.

Brazil struggled for goals toward the end of their qualifying campaign, but Ronaldo led the way with ten goals to help in qualification.

For striking options Brazil is blessed, Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo, along with Inter Milan’s Adriano, FIFA’s World Player of the Year for the second year running Ronaldinho, AC Milan’s Kaká, Robinho from Real Madrid, and with Olympique Lyonnais’ Fred also beginning to make a name for himself.

Robinho’s arrival at Real Madrid from Brazil last summer was one of the things that pushed England’s Michael Owen closer to the exit door at the Bernabeu.

22 year-old striker Robinho, who has won 12 caps for his country and scored four goals, is one of the world's most exciting players and was an ever-present in the Brazil team that won the Confederations Cup in Germany last year.

His trickery, ball skills and physique have led to comparisons with Pele, who spent most of his career at the same club that Robinho made his name, Santos.

The major strength of the Brazilian side is that just about anyone else on the pitch is capable of putting the ball in the back of the net, meaning that opposition defences are often overwhelmed.

It may be that Brazil will be missing their talismanic national captain, Cafú, who is currently injured, and who is renowned for being the first player in history to play in three finals of the World Cup, winning two of them to lift the title on the way. He would be a great loss to the team, if only for his experience.

If there is on weak point with the seleçao it is that their defence is sometimes questionable, especially without Cafu, but with the combined experience and talent of Juan, Lucio, Real Madrid’s Roberto Carlos and others who can provide cover.

For the first time in quite a while, there isn’t a goalkeeping worry for Brazil as AC Milan goalkeeper Dida has finally cemented his position as the number one man between the sticks.

This team is brimming with so much talent, that when they are playing at their best it's hard to see any other team that have made it to the Finals beating this side to the trophy.

However, many teams think that they have a chance in this World Cup, but it will take something very special to beat the reigning champion’s, and it looks very much like Brazil is in prime position to claim world title number six.

Brazil have been drawn in Group F in the Finals and are facing Croatia, former hosts Japan, and Australia’s Socceroos.

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Brazil Match Fixtures in the World Cup 2006 Finals

13-Jun-06	Brazil v Croatia	21:00 BST
18-Jun-06	Brazil v Australia	18:00 BST
22-Jun-06	Japan v Brazil	21:00 BST

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Historic Facts

First International appearance: Argentina 3 - 0 Brazil (Buenos Aires, Argentina; August 20, 1914)

Largest win: Brazil 9 - 0 Colombia (Lima, Peru; 23 March 1957)

Worst defeat: Argentina 6 - 1 Brazil (Buenos Aires, Argentina; 5 March 1940)

World Cup Finals Appearances: 1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002

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Brazil Match Results - South American World Cup Qualifiers

Date	Match	Result
12-Oct-2005	Brazil - Venezuela	3:0 (1:0)
09-Oct-2005	Bolivia - Brazil	1:1 (0:1)
04-Sep-2005	Brazil - Chile	5:0 (4:0)
08-Jun-2005	Argentina - Brazil	3:1 (3:0)
05-Jun-2005	Brazil - Paraguay	4:1 (2:0)
30-Mar-2005	Uruguay - Brazil	1:1 (0:0)
27-Mar-2005	Brazil - Peru	1:0 (0:0)
17-Nov-2004	Ecuador - Brazil	1:0 (0:0)
13-Oct-2004	Brazil - Colombia	0:0
09-Oct-2004	Venezuela - Brazil	2:5 (0:2)
05-Sep-2004	Brazil - Bolivia	3:1 (3:0)
06-Jun-2004	Chile - Brazil	1:1 (0:1)
02-Jun-2004	Brazil - Argentina	3:1 (1:0)
31-Mar-2004	Paraguay - Brazil	0:0
19-Nov-2003	Brazil - Uruguay	3:3 (2:0)
16-Nov-2003	Peru - Brazil	1:1 (0:1)
10-Sep-2003	Brazil - Ecuador	1:0 (1:0)
07-Sep-2003	Colombia - Brazil	1:2 (1:1)

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