FIFA's Player of the Year, Ronaldinho [Images], and World Club champions Sao Paulo, are also Brazilian.

Under rule changes introduced by FIFA, Brazil had to earn the right to defend their crown in Germany [Images] by qualifying, the first time the champions had not been given an automatic place at the subsequent finals.

Coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, however, turned the situation to his advantage by using the marathon 18-match South American campaign to build a team brimming with world-class players.

Tired of seeing his team struggling to break down packed defences, the usually cautious Parreira last year gambled on a more attacking line-up which allows him to field more of Brazil's world-class forwards.

The so-called Magic Quartet means that four out of Ronaldinho, Ronaldo [Images], Adriano, Kaka [Images] and Robinho can play together at the same time, with Robinho currently favourite to start on the bench.

Brazil, who face Australia, Japan [Images] and Croatia in Group F have encountered some problems in the run-up to the cup, notably the worrying loss of form of Ronaldo who has even been left on the bench at Real Madrid [Images].

PARREIRA UNRUFFLED

Strike partner Adriano has also been struggling with Inter Milan, captain Cafu is getting over a knee operation and veteran left-back Roberto Carlos [Images] seems increasingly disinterested in his defensive duties.

Parreira remains unruffled by Ronaldo's troubles, remembering that many people wondered if he would even play at the 2002 World Cup where he had only just got over a serious knee injury.

Ronaldo went on to score eight goals, leading Brazil to their fifth world title.

"When people start questioning him, it serves as an incentive for Ronaldo," said Parreira. "It will be a surprise and a disappointment for me if Ronaldo doesn't have a great World Cup."

At the back, Parreira favours a four-man defence with two holding players in front, usually Emerson and Ze Roberto.

Brazil, who have often found the qualifiers harder than the finals themselves, this time booked their place with two matches to spare and lost only twice in the entire campaign, compared to six times in the qualifiers for 2002.

Some idealists have even been suggested that he could field all five, but Parreira has refuted this.

In fact, the down-to-earth coach has even banned the word magic.

Their wealth of talent is such that players such as Juninho Permanbucano struggle to get into the team.

Brazil remain the only country to win the World Cup outside their own hemisphere, achieving that feat in Sweden in 1958 and Japan in 2002.

Unlike in 1958 when hardly any Brazilians had travelled to Europe before the World Cup let alone played there, all of Brazil's squad are at home in Europe.

The pitches, conditions, stadiums and food are all totally familiar to them and provide no obstacle at all between Brazil and another World Cup success.