Berlin - Thirty-two teams have qualified for the 2006 World Cup finals which take place in Germany from June 9 - July 9.
BRAZIL
Honours:
World Cup appearances: 17 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1950, 1954, 1958, 1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002)
World Cup winners: 5 (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002); Runners-up: 2 (1950, 1998); 3rd place: 2 (1938, 1978)
Copa America winners: 7 (1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1993, 1997, 1999, 2005)
Fifa world ranking: 1
Odds: 9/4 favourites
Coach: Carlos Alberto Parreira
A rarity in that he never played professional football, Parreira first got a taste of the World Cup when he served as fitness coach to Brazil's celebrated 1970 World Cup-winning team.
Went on to forge a successful career as a coach in his own right, the highpoint being Brazil's 1994 World Cup triumph. Parreira stepped down after that triumph but returned to the helm after the 2002 tournament.
Key player: Ronaldinho
Two-time World Footballer of the Year, Ronaldinho is the star of stars amongst Brazil's dazzling array of attackers. Beautiful balance and close control as well as an unerring eye for goal make Ronaldinho the ultimate nightmare for defences everywhere.
Was a key member of the 2002 World Cup winning team but has since matured and developed a more rounded overall game since moving from Paris St Germain to Barcelona, who he has helped inspire to two Spanish championships.
Squad:
Goalkeepers:
Dida (AC Milan/ITA), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan/ITA)
Defenders:
Cafu (AC Milan/ITA), Cicinho (Real Madrid/ESP), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid/ESP), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin/GER), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen/GER), Cris (Lyon/FRA), Lucio (Bayern Munich/GER), Luis Silva 'Luisao' (Benfica/POR)
Midfielders:
Emerson (Juventus/ITA), Mineiro (Sao Paulo), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal/ENG), Juninho Pernambucano (Lyon/FRA), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich/GER), Kaka (AC Milan/ITA), Ricardinho (Corinthians), Ronaldinho Gaucho (Barcelona/ESP)
Strikers:
Ronaldo (Real Madrid/ESP), Adriano (Inter Milan/ITA), Fred (Lyon/FRA), Robinho (Real Madrid/ESP)
