After Neymar dazzled for Brazil on Tuesday evening during their 4-0 win over Panama, Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on the World Cup host's squad.
Who was given the nickname 'teddy bear' by Paris Saint Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Who's inclusion in the squad has been met by disbelief in Brazil?
Our in-depth guide will inform you of all you need to know about the World Cup favourites ahead of the big-kick off on June 12.
1. Jefferson (Goalkeeper, Botafogo)
At full stretch: Jefferson gets down to make a save during saving
Jefferson is Scolari’s first reserve in net. The 31-year-old who plays for Botafogo is widely thought of as the best keeper in the Brazilian league. He had a four-year spell in Turkey where he played for Trabzonspor and Konyaspor. In 2010 he saved a crucial penalty taken by Adriano to seal the Rio de Janeiro state championship for O Glorioso. He also helped Botafogo lift the same trophy in 2013.
2. Dani Alves (Defender, Barcelona)
Indispensable: Alves is the first choice right back for Brazil and Barcelona
Alves, 31, has been a mainstay in the national side since making his senior debut in 2006. The right-back starred in the 2010 World Cup and is now the undisputed No 1 in his position. He is similary indispensible at Barcelona, where he joined in 2008 as the third most expensive defender of all time. Alves is occasionally criticized for attacking so lustily that he neglects his defensive responsibilities.
3. Thiago Silva (Defender, Paris Saint Germain)
Captain fantastic: Silva is the rock at the heart of the Brazil defence
Brazil’s attacking players tend to get the plaudits but the captain could be key to their success. Together with Luiz, they provide the defensive base to allow the attackers to flourish.
While Luiz’s mind often wanders Silva’s concentration is unparalleled. He has a fabulous football brain and is a supreme reader of a game. Silva, 29, and Luiz are good friends away from the pitch and provide balance on it.
4. David Luiz (Defender, Paris Saint Germain)
Hands on: Luiz will join PSG this summer to link up with team-mate Silva
Defender Luiz requires no introduction to English football fans having entertained at Chelsea since 2011, where the Stamford Bridge faithful have come to love the talented but often bewildering Brazilian. The 27-year-old is bound for Paris St Germain this summer to form a defensive partnership in Ligue 1 with his compatriot Thiago Silva. For their country, they provide a defensive rock. When they both play, Brazil win 80 per cent of matches, without them this figure plummets to 50 per cent.
5. Fernandinho (Midfielder, Manchester City)
Solid: Fernandinho (left) holds off Hulk during Brazil training
The Manchester City midfielder may not have the flair of some of his compatriots but he has been solid at the Etihad this season, allowing team-mate Yaya Toure to surge forward. While he is unlikely to start in Brazil, the 29-year-old provides a very good option on the bench for Scolari to turn to. He has made just six appearances for Brazil and in his only appearance this season he lashed home a superb goal in a 5-0 victory over South Africa.
6. Marcelo (Defender, Real Madrid)
High flyer: Marcelo has competition at left back is expected to claim a starting spot
The 26-year-old left-back is humble, insisting he doesn’t think he’s an automatic first choice for Scolari although most expect him to start against Croatia. He had a difficult season at Real Madrid having been dropped to the bench by Carlo Ancelotti for the Champions League final. But when he was introduced he changed the complexion of the game, enlivening his side and scoring their third goal. Scolari will rely on him to bring similar energy to Brazil’s defence.
7. Hulk (Forward, Zenit)
Powerhouse: but Hulk's strength may not be enough to see him start for Brazil
The stocky attacking midfielder divides opinion in Brazil but he has been solid enough under Scolari. While Neymar is the side’s pin-up, Hulk has emerged as a Brazilian housewives' favourite. The Zenit St Petersburg player is so softly spoken that his voice is sometimes inaudible but he is a good sport, even doing a dance for the public in a TV appearance last year. His starting berth may be threatened by Bernard or Willian during the tournament.
8. Paulinho (Midfielder, Tottenham)
Inconsistent: Paulinho's form for Spurs has been patchy but he's still expected to start for Brazil
There have been flashes of Paulinho’s brilliance this season at White Hart Lane but overall he has been underwhelming. This is unlikely to affect his position in Brazil’s starting XI because Scolari is well aware of his considerable talent. Paulinho is a thoroughly modern midfielder, commanding in the air with pace and good positional sense and the ability to track back and help out with defensive duties.
9. Fred (Forward, Fluminense)
Driven: Fred is inspired to lead Brazil to success by the death of his mother
The Fluminese star will lead the line in Brazil and plays a vital role in the tactical system by holding up the ball with his back to goal and exploiting any chances that come his way. Fred credits his mother who died of a heart attack when he was seven-years-old with encouraging his love of football. He has heaped pressure upon himself by claiming this is the most important World Cup ever for the country.
10. Neymar (Forward, Barcelona)
Golden boy: Neymar has the hopes of a nation resting on his shoulders
There is considerable pressure on Neymar who at 22 has been cast as the man to lead his country to World Cup glory on home soil. He is an irrepressible talent, able to amaze with short bursts of speed or long mazy runs. In March, his first hat-trick for Brazil against a limping South Africa ensured he reached 30 goals in 47 games – faster than Lionel Messi for Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal (74 and 86 respectively). He will be free to run riot down the left wing and terrorise opposition.
11. Oscar (Midfielder, Chelsea)
Oscar bravo: the Chelsea midfielder (right) is one of Brazil's most exciting players
Chelsea’s Oscar is one of Brazil’s most exciting, dynamic youngsters and has been the subject of much hype since he was in the youth set up at Sao Paulo. His playmaking abilities have drawn comparisons with compatriot Kaka, who was omitted from the squad. The 22-year-old will likely start in the central midfield role and is likely to confound opposition with his silky skills and dizzying dribbling.
12. Julio Cesar (Goalkeeper, Toronto FC)
Rusty? Cesar has not played much football in recent months and this may come back to haunt Brazil
There is little doubt that the former QPR ‘keeper Cesar will start in net despite concerns over his lack of play in recent months. The 34-year-old is one of the veteran’s of the squad. Cesar started his professional career at Brazilian club Flamengo and stayed for seven years before. At Inter Milan, where he moved in 2005, Cesar established himself as one of the world’s best ‘keepers, with intelligence and quick reflexes. He left QPR for Toronto in February having been unable to get in Harry Redknapp’s starting XI, overlooked in favour of Rob Green.
13. Dante (Defender, Bayern Munich)
Late bloomer: Dante only made his debut for Brazil in 2013
The imposing centre-back Dante, 30, was a late bloomer, not making his international debut until February 2013. He was not particularly revered in his homeland, where his only stint of first team football was two seasons at Juventude between 2002 and 2004. He thrived at lower profile European clubs such as France’s Lille and Belgium’s Charleroi. But Bayern Munich poached him from fellow Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach in 2012 and he contributed to a Champions League title in his first season. With his brutish strength and aerial prowess, he has forced his way into the starting XI.
14. Maxwell (Defender, Paris Saint Germain)
'Teddy bear': Maxwell is one of football's nice guys
The Paris St Germain defender, 32, is called a ‘teddy bear’ by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has become his best friend in football. Ibrahimovic slept on a mattress on Maxwell’s floor for nearly a month when they were playing at Ajax together before he had received his first paycheck and says he can’t believe Maxwell has made it at the top level because he is ‘so nice and nice guys don’t normally make it in football’. Maxwell is not just the Swede’s sidekick, though. The unassuming 5ft 9in left-back is solid, dependable and has just had one of the best seasons of his career.
15. Henrique (Defender, Napoli)
Surprise inclusion: Henrique (centre) was a shock choice for Brazil's at centre back
Napoli defender Henrique is capped just four times for his country and was the biggest surprise inclusion when the squad was announced. Henrique, who played under Scolari at Palmeiras, won out over Atletico Madrid defender Miranda and PSG’s youngster Marquinhos for the spot as fourth central defender. Henrique found out about his selection from Brazilian TV and shared the credit with club manager Rafael Benitez.
16. Ramires (Midfielder, Chelsea)
Bench boy: Chelsea's Ramires is expected to play a bit-part role this summer
Ramires joined Chelsea after impressing during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa where he made a run past three Chilean defenders to set up Robinho for the third goal in a 3–0 victory in the round of 16. Since then he has demonstrated his box-to-box brilliance at Stamford Bridge but has also shown a lack of maturity at times, attracting silly bookings. He is unlikely to start but will play a part in Brazil’s journey from the bench.
17. Luis Gustavo (Midfielder, Wolfsburg)
Midfielder general: Gustavo is known for his wide range of passing
Gustavo, 26, was a relative unknown when he left modest Corinthians-AL - where he started his professional career as a left-back - for upcoming Hoffenheim in 2007. Switching to a midfield role, he was an integral part of securing Hoffenheim promotion to the Bundesliga and he has gone from strength to strength since. The tall, composed left footer and superb passer earned himself a transfer to Bayern Munich in 2011 and joined Wolfsburg last summer. He played the full 90 minutes in Brazil’s Confederations Cup win over Spain and is likely to start in Brazil.
18. Hernanes (Midfielder, Inter Milan)
Explosive: Hernanes has power and skill and striker the ball with either foot
The 29-year-old, who plays in a holding role in the Inter midfield, combines supreme physical strength with explosive power and the ability to strike with either foot. He is convinced he has improved since joining Inter from Lazio in January. Oscar is likely to start against Croatia but depending on how the youngster copes with the pressure, Scolari may prefer the more defensive, dependable Hernanes to give him the option of bringing Oscar on from the bench.
19. Willian (Midfielder, Chelsea)
All smiles: Willian has impressed for Chelsea this season
The 25-year-old was signed by Chelsea for £32m last summer and has thrived under Jose Mourinho, who appreciates his willingness to defend as well as create scoring opportunities. Willian, who grew up in Sao Paulo state, has lived in Ukraine and Russia before making London his home with his wife Vanessa and twin daughters. He is a more than qualified back-up on the right side of Scolari’s midfield.
20. Bernard (Forward, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Diminutive: Bernard is small but will surprise people at the World Cup
Diminutive Bernard, who is 5ft 4in and of slender build, is proof that good things can come in small packages. The 21-year-old is likely to surprise a few people at the World Cup. The Shakhtar Donetsk forward makes up for his lack of size with a tremendous ability on the ball and boundless enthusiasm.
21. Jo (Forward, Atletico Mineiro)
Rebirth: Jo (centre) has improved since moving back to Brazil after a disappointing spell in England
Fans of Manchester City and Everton will be shocked to see gangly striker Jo named among Brazil's best 23 players. 'Flop' would be an understatement to describe the 27-year-old's three years in England. He scored just 13 goals in 73 games in the north west of England after arriving at the Etihad in a £19million deal in 2008 and being loaned out to Goodison a year later. The 6ft 2in striker has re-established himself in the Selecao under Scolari since moving back to Brazil and, despite an underwhelming goalscoring record, keeps the likes of Leandro Damiao and Alexandre Pato out of the squad.
22. Victor (Goalkeeper, Atletico MG)
Back-up: Victor (right) is Brazil's third choice keeper
There was some controversy when Victor was selected ahead of former Liverpool ‘keeper Diego Cavalieri, who has had a solid season for Fluminese. Victor will probably only get game time in Brazil if both Cesar and Jefferson are struck down by injury but the 31-year-old is popular with fans who see him play every week for Atletico Mineiro and admire him for a series of penalty saves on the way to winning last year's Libertadores Cup.
23. Maicon
Experienced: Maicon (right) is one of the older members of the Brazil squad
Maicon is providing competition to Alves for the right-back spot. The 32-year-old is richly experienced having played for Inter Milan, Manchester City and Monaco in a career during which he has won the Champions League title and five league trophies. Maicon has enjoyed something of a rennaissance this season after joining Roma from Manchester City and will most likely play at some point in Brazil, depending on injuries and whether Alves switches to left-back at any point.
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