How they qualified

Apparently there’s some football tournament or something going on inBrazil.

World Cup high

Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002, but it is the 1970 triumph that inspires the most impassioned tributes.

World Cup low

The sad spectacle of an unwell Ronaldo and his team being rolled over 3-0 by France in the 1998 final.

Familiar faces

Julio Cesar (QPR), David Luiz (Chelsea), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea), Ramires (Chelsea), Paulinho (Tottenham Hotspur), Willian (Chelsea), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).

The manager

The legend that is Luiz Felipe Scolari, back for his second stint as Brazil manager, and charged with delivering the trophy to go with 2002 win.

How in danger is he?

6/10

Most likely to light up Brazil

Not a vintage Brazil side, but Neymar looks the most probable heir to the World Cup greats of yore.

Most likely to be sent home in disgrace

Being both dirty and an inveterate diver, Dani Alves is a true master of football’s darker arts.

Title odds

7/2 fav

The stereotype is ...

Samba football, silky skills, genius all over the pitch, playing the game as it should be played.

The reality is ...

Weak in goal, defensively iffy, effective midfield, overly reliant on the unproven Neymar up front.

What they're known for

Football 45 per cent

Samba 25 per cent

Thonged lovelies 20 per cent

Civil unrest 10 per cent

How Brazilian are they?

Reasonably Brazilian. Certainly more Brazilian than the Dunga teams, but this lot are hardly Pele and Garrincha.

How Google translates the national anthem

In thy bosom, O freedom, Our chest defy death itself.

Our forests have more life. Our life in your more love sinus.

Duration

A busy, frothy 1min 58sec.

How to dress like their fans

Better get in that gym first. Bikinis for the ladies. Never really noticed what the male fans are wearing.

Commentator's go-to stat

Brazil covers three time zones. No doubt failure to acclimatise to jet lag will be offered as a mitigating factor in England’s disappointing performance.