Brazil

Brazil are favourites for every football tournament they take part in, and so it was with the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Since winning the World Cup in 2002, Brazil had an almost perfect record: they won the 2004 Copa America and the 2005 Confederations Cup. Brazil qualified for Germany 2006 easily, coming top in the South American qualifying group, losing only twice in 18 games. For obvious reasons, they were the favourites to win the 19th FIFA World Cup.

Brazil World Cup profile continues below

Brazil's manager, Carlos Alberto Parreira, was one of the most experienced international managers in the world, and was even on the coaching team during the 1970 World Cup.

Brazil had the best World Cup record, having won the trophy five times, compared to Germany's three times, who were in 2nd place. They are also the only team to have played in every World Cup.

Brazil have produced possibly the greatest ever footballer in Pele, and their array of attacking options is incredible, including Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Adriano, and Fred.

In the first couple of games of the 2006 Brazil's performance was disappointing. In particular, Ronaldo failed to show much inpiration. Neverthless they secured a place in the last 16 thanks to wins of 1-0 over Croatia and 2-0 over Australia.

In their third match, Brazil got off to another poor start and trailed Japan 1-0, but they recovered well to win 4-1 thanks to goals from Juninho, Gilberto and Ronaldo twice.

Brazil won Group F and qualified to play Ghana in the last 16. They won the encounter 3-0 and Ronaldo scored again thereby becoming the highest scorer in World Cup history.

But the 2006 World Cup was to end in disappointment for Brazil as they crashed out in the quarter-finals due to a 1-0 defeat by France.

The Brazil Squad:

Goalkeepers: Dida (AC Milan), Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Cafu (AC Milan), Cicinho (Real Madrid), Lucio (Bayern Munich), Juan (Bayer Leverkusen), Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid), Gilberto (Hertha Berlin), Cris (Olympique Lyon), Luisao (Benfica)

Midfielders: Edmilson (Barcelona), Juninho Pernambucano (Olympique Lyon), Emerson (Juventus), Ze Roberto (Bayern Munich), Gilberto Silva (Arsenal), Kaka (AC Milan), Ricardinho (Corinthians)

Attackers: Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Robinho (Real Madrid), Ronaldinho (Barcelona), Adriano (Inter Milan), Fred (Olympique Lyon).

Brazil World Cup profile by Ben Rosenbaum