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but they have never won the competition on home soil
That is the challenge that awaits this year's crop as they prepare for the biggest test of their playing careers
There were few surprises in Luiz Felipe Scolari's selection for the competition
with the experienced coach sticking to a core group of players that have served him well in the 18 months since he retook the manager's position
The Selecao won the Confederations Cup against the odds last summer and will hope to repeat their trick this time around to secure a place in football history
are the 23 men upon whose shoulders that burden exists
.css-1j0x5fe{position:absolute;bottom:0;right:0;display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;padding:1.2rem;}.css-1c4xrr0{margin:0;font-size:1rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:1rem;color:var(--br--palette-foreground__oncolor_light-mainChannel);width:100%;}Victor R
Caivano/Associated Press.css-ek22sk{margin:0;font-size:1.2rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:1.44rem;padding-top:var(--br--dimensions-padding__sm);padding-bottom:var(--br--dimensions-padding__sm);color:var(--br--palette-foreground__primary-mainChannel);}Name: Julio Cesar Soares Espindola
Birthplace: .css-14rpnn4{margin:0;font-size:1.6rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;font-family:Proxima Nova,Proxima Nova Fallback Helvetica,Proxima Nova Fallback Arial;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;letter-spacing:0rem;line-height:2.6rem;white-space:normal;word-break:break-word;}Duque de Caxias
Brief Bio: One of the most decorated goalkeepers of recent years, five-time Serie A winner Julio Cesar regained his place in the Brazil setup upon the return of head coach Scolari in 2013.
A one-year spell in London with Queens Park Rangers saw the Brazilian excel in spite of his side's relegation before he stood out in success at the Confederations Cup last summer. He is now plying his trade on loan at Toronto FC in Major League Soccer.
Lee Jin-man/Associated PressName: Jefferson de Oliveira Galvao
Brief Bio: Renowned for his penalty-saving abilities, Botafogo's Jefferson is regarded by many as the best goalkeeper in Brazilian domestic football. He is perhaps unlucky not find himself favourite for a starting berth.
As someone who has captained his country in the past and who possesses a wealth of experience from both his time in Europe and Brazil, he will be a steadying influence around the camp and a fine stand-in for Julio Cesar if required.
Ricardo Mazalan/Associated PressName: Victor Leandro Bagy
Brief Bio: Another leading light of the Brazilian domestic game, Victor has been considered among the top rung of goalkeepers in the country for several years and played a major role in his club's Copa Libertadores triumph in 2013.
Also renowned for his superb reflexes and penalty saves, he will be another experienced head around camp in what will be a high-pressure environment.
Club: FC Barcelona
Brief Bio: After a decade at the top of the game at club level
the 2014 World Cup could well be Dani Alves' final hurrah in a Brazil shirt
Having been accused of regularly failing to turn up for his country
he has been integral to the side's resurgence under Felipao
The Barcelona man has won everything there is to win at club level
playing as part of a side widely considered to be one of the best of all time
His attacking surges have been key to those successes
and Brazil will hope to unleash him in a similar manner this summer
Getty Images/Getty ImagesName: Maicon Douglas Sisenando
Club: AS Roma
Brief Bio: Another of world football's leading lights in his position over the past decade
Maicon has enjoyed somewhat of a revival with Roma and earned a late recall into Scolari's plans for the summer
Scolari has packed his squad with experienced heads
and having won four international competitions with Brazil to add to his considerable club successes
He will play an important role in backing up Dani Alves over the weeks ahead
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior
Club: Real Madrid
left-back Marcelo is widely regarded as one of the very best in the world in his position and is a terrific attacking outlet on the flank for both club and country
the former Fluminense man has come of age in the Spanish capital
transforming himself into the prototype of a modern full-back
If he can keep his notorious temper in check
he will be essential to Brazil's hopes of glory this summer
Lintao Zhang/Getty ImagesName: Maxwell Scherrer Cabelino Andrade
While his wealth of knowledge doubtless played in his favour
Maxwell has very much earned his spot in the 23-man squad by merit
He has been simply outstanding for PSG this season despite the arrival of young pretender Lucas Digne
putting in top-level performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Thiago Emiliano da Silva
Brief Bio: The best central defender in world football
There are many who believe that to be the case
and his performances as captain of his national team over the past two years have only further reinforced that theory
He is an understated character but has a remarkable ability to read a football game and put his teammates at ease
who looks like a different player alongside Thiago
is the rock upon which Felipao has built his side
Chung Sung-Jun/Getty ImagesName: David Luiz Moreira Marinho
Club: Chelsea
Brief Bio: One of the most naturally gifted defenders of the current era
David Luiz has every physical and technical attribute that one could ever wish a centre-back to possess
but he has been a hugely reliable figure for Brazil under Scolari
While he often features in midfield for club side Chelsea
Luiz has compiled an impressive CV that includes both Champions League and Europa League titles
Often seen as needing to mature into becoming a world-leading centre-back
should be well-equipped to state his case in national team colours this summer
Clive Mason/Getty ImagesName: Dante Bonfim Costa Santos
Club: FC Bayern Munich
earned Dante a shot at the big-time with Bayern Munich
and he seized his chance in impressive fashion as part of a side that secured a famous treble in the 2012-13 season
That form propelled him into Scolari's plans ahead of the Confederations Cup
Giuseppe Bellini/Getty ImagesName: Henrique Adriano Buss
Club: Napoli
Brief Bio: Scolari's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup was almost entirely predictable
there was still room for one surprise selection in his party in the form of 27-year-old Henrique
who beat Cruzeiro's Dede to the fourth and final centre-back berth
having spent the best part of two years managing him as part of his Copa do Brasil-winning Palmeiras side
it seemed there was little chance of him playing at the World Cup
but a successful January move to Napoli has seen Henrique come up on the rails to secure his place
Dave Sandford/Getty ImagesName: Luiz Gustavo Dias
Brief Bio: Former Hoffenheim and Bayern Munich midfielder Luiz Gustavo was for a long time in the international football wilderness
since Scolari took control of the Brazil setup early last year
Gustavo has been the base upon which he has built his midfield
Luiz Gustavo's selection was not universally well-received
with his defensive mindset not in keeping with how some would like to see Brazil play
integral to success at the Confederations Cup
proving himself essential to the balance of the side
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Jose Paulo Bezerra Maciel Junior
Brief Bio: If Luiz Gustavo is the base upon which Scolari builds his midfield
Besides needing to play a key role as part of the defensive setup
the Spurs midfielder is also expected to push forward and support the attack
It is fair to say that his first season in England has not quite gone to plan
but Paulinho's past performances as part of Scolari's side guarantee his role in the starting XI
Having begun his career wandering in Poland and Lithuania
Paulinho's rise to global star is indicative of how fortunes can quickly change in football
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Fernando Luiz Rosa
Club: Manchester City
Brief Bio: Alongside the likes of Jadson and Elano, Fernandinho was one of the first waves of Brazilians to really put Shakhtar Donetsk on the map when he moved from Atletico Paranaense to Ukraine in 2005
he secured six league titles and a host of other medals
It was in Ukraine that he made his name in Europe
he was unable to push his claims for an international berth while at Shakhtar
Two outstanding performances against Chelsea in 2012
Fernandinho has been one of the club's standout performers this season
Feng Li/Getty ImagesName: Ramires Santos do Nascimento
Brief Bio: One of world football's truly exceptional box-to-box midfielders
Ramires' positional versatility and tactical flexibility makes him a manager's dream heading into a tournament such as the World Cup
He is the equivalent of having an extra couple of players at your disposal
It is that ability to adapt to his team's needs that has made him so important to Chelsea's cause over recent seasons
He has played a number of roles on big occasions and rarely disappoints while his commitment to the cause can never be questioned
but he could be a decisive figure for his side off the substitute's bench
Elsa/Getty ImagesName: Anderson Hernandes de Carvalho Viana Lima
Brief Bio: Another who could play an important role for Scolari's side from the substitutes' bench is Hernanes
whose calm in possession and range of passing could be key to maintaining a measure of control late in games
The former Lazio man has not had a great second half of the season since switching to Inter Milan but remains a trusted member of Scolari's Brazil setup
His ability to play in either a defensive or attacking midfield role equally well also plays in his favour given the limitations of squad selection
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Oscar dos Santos Emboaba Junior
Brief Bio: Attacking midfield playmaker Oscar is the man who will need to fire if Brazil are to repeat their trick of last summer and secure World Cup glory this summer
Oscar is the creative hub of Scolari's side and the man who relieves the pressure placed upon the Barcelona star
Given that Oscar is renowned for his all-around ability
his scoring record of one goal in every three appearances for his country is exceptional
to contribute defensively sets him apart from many in his position
making him a favourite with managers at both club and international levels
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Willian Borges da Silva
Brief Bio: Another of the Chelsea legion heading to Brazil this summer is Willian
who has enjoyed a terrific first year at Stamford Bridge since joining from Anzhi last summer
Willian offers terrific ability to sides either looking to retain possession or strike quickly on the counter-attack
Willian made his name at Shakhtar Donetsk alongside Fernandinho
but it has only been since he began excelling in the Premier League that he has been fully integrated into the international scene
He will likely be a regular rotation option for Scolari over the coming weeks
Michael Regan/Getty ImagesName: Bernard Anicio Caldeira Duarte
Brief Bio: One of those in the squad who will consider themselves most fortunate to be heading to the competition is Bernard
having endured a disappointing first season in Ukraine—albeit not aided by off-the-pitch issues
done enough to hold off the challenge of PSG's Lucas Moura
who has also failed to press his claims strongly this past year
Bernard's main advantage over Lucas comes in the quality of his recent outings for Brazil
having made a real difference off the bench to push himself ahead of his rival in Felipao's thinking
The diminutive forward is lightening fast of the mark
possesses great skill and an eye for a pass
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Neymar da Silva Santos Junior
Brief Bio: The outstanding Brazilian talent of his generation
Neymar inspired his side to Confederations Cup success last summer and is currently on course to challenge the goalscoring records of Pele and Ronaldo in the colours of the Selecao
Neymar moved from childhood club Santos to European football with Barcelona
he is the man around which everything is focused
Elsa/Getty ImagesName: Givanildo Vieira de Souza
Brief Bio: Former Porto star Hulk may not be a favourite with all Brazil fans
but he is another who has won the trust of Scolari
Likely to start in a wide right position if given the nod
his job will be to provide width and balance to allow for the wanderings of Neymar on the other flank
Hulk has a phenomenal scoring record at club level over recent years
with his almost-unrivalled power a nightmare for defenders to contend with
Whether it be from a central berth or cutting in onto his left foot from wide
he is capable of being a major goal threat and will hope to convince the Brazilian public of his ability once and for all this summer
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Frederico Chaves Guedes
Brief Bio: Another name who may not be as fashionable as some of those omitted
Fred has been a constant under Scolari when fully fit and has not let his coach down
With nine goals in 10 games for the Selecao over the past 18 months
Fred has matured with age to become a highly effective target man
While he lacks the mobility some would like
he is always a threat in the penalty area and links play well with those around him
Given the youthful nature of Brazil's midfield
Gallo Images/Getty ImagesName: Joao Alves de Assis Silva
Jo has not always been the most popular of selections among the Brazilian public
he has also shone in the Scolari era as the primary reserve centre-forward
scoring five international goals since his late selection for the 2013 Confederations Cup
Jo offers increased movement to Fred and has shown himself to link well with Neymar and Oscar
His form has dropped off a little with club side Atletico Mineiro
but it is with the Belo Horizonte side that he has rebuilt his career after disappointing in England
he may well be playing to earn himself a second shot at European football at this summer's competition.