Brazil is the most successful team in World Cup history, with five total championships. The Brazilians won their first prize in 1958, followed by two more in 1966 and 1970, their fourth in 1994, and their fifth and most recent in 2002. They've also been the runner-up twice, and have three other trips to the semifinals aside. Brazil, who will host the tourney in 2014, has never failed to qualify a World Cup tournament.

The team also sports some of the greatest performers in World Cup history, among them Pele, considered by many the best soccer player ever and the only man ever to win three tournaments; Pele's teammates Tostao and Gerson, who helped form the what is often described as the greatest team ever, the 1970 champion; Romario, the leader of the 1994 team; and Ronaldo, the leading scorer in World Cup history and a champion in 2002.http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/team/history/_/id/205/brazil?cc=3888&ver=global

The perennial objective in Brazil is to win the World Cup trophy, and this year is no different. After 2006's disappointing elimination against France, Brazilian fans want to lift the title again in 2010, which would be the team's sixth World Cup trophy and first since 2002. Brazil is the second-ranked team in the world, behind only Spain. Yet the last time both teams appeared in the same tournament, in the 2009 Confederations Cup, it was the Brazilians who went home victorious (though they never faced off against the Spanish side).

At goalie, the Brazilians have Julio Cesar, the longtime net-minder for the club team Inter Milan. At defense, they are led by Maicón (who also plays for Inter), Alex, and Dani Alves. At midfield, the strongest players is Kaká, who might be accompanied by old favorite Ronaldinho. At the forward spot Robinho, Alexandre Pato, and Luis Fabiano figure to feature prominently.

Brazil will be competing in Group G in the World Cup, which is also colloquially known as the "Group of Death" because of the high level of competition. The other teams are North Korea, Ivory Coast, and Portugal. Despite being placed in the Group of Death, the Brazilians are a clear favorite to advance, and failing to do so would be a dramatic failure.