The excitement is building as we get closer to the 1st African World Cup is building, its going to be great. With The Great Tournament less than a week away, its now time to look at the teams in Group F, "The Group of Death" beginning with arguably the "World's Team" Brazil.

OFFICIAL NAME: Confederação Brasileira de Futebol



NICKNAME: Seleção

FIFA CONFEDERATION: CONMEBOL (South America)

FIFA CODE: BRA

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: 1st place in CONMEBOL WC Qualifying

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES (INCLUDING 2010):20

BEST WC FINISH: 5x Champions, Most recent: Korea/Japan 2006

WORLD CUP RECORD (MP: Wins - Draws - Losses):92: 64W - 14D - 14L

HEAD COACH: Dunga

MOST CAPPED PLAYER (# of caps): Cafu (142)

ALL-TIME GOAL SCORING LEADER (# of goals): Pelé (77)

BRIEF FOOTBALLING HISTORY:
There is a saying about football that,""The English invented it, the Brazilians perfected it." The footballing use of the term "Beautiful Game" is a direct translation of the Brazilian style of football known as Jogo Bonito. What else is there to say about Brazil's football history? Brazil has the most World Cup titles, the most World Cup match victories, they are the only nation to compete in every World Cup tournament, and Brazil is the only country to win a World Cup on three different continents. The only thing missing from Brazil's legendary trophy case is an Olympic Gold Medal.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
The player to watch for Brazil has solidified the one position that was a bit of a worry for Seleção. He is Michel Bastos.
(AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Brazil is very deep in every position but Dunga was searching for a standout player at left back and Michel Bastos (pictured on the right) has stepped in to solidify that position. The Olympique Lyon player is a typical Brazilian wingback in that he can pass and finish. In 2008, he became the only player in Ligue 1 history to appear in the top five of both the goalscorers' table and the assists' table. Bastos' abilities now gives balance to Brazil's backline.

OUTLOOK:
Brazil is a heavy favorite to win its 6th World Cup trophy. For Brazil anything less than raising the Jules Rimet trophy is a failure and justifiably so. Head Coach Dunga has been criticized for not playing Jogo Bonito during his tenure but Brazil gets results and are more organized defensively than in years past. Its "Title Or Bust" for Seleção.

FINAL 23-MAN WC ROSTER:
Goalkeepers: Julio Cesar (Inter Milan), Doni (Roma), Heurelho Gomes (Tottenham)

Defenders: Maicon (Inter Milan), Dani Alves (Barcelona), Lucio (Inter Milan), Juan (Roma), Luisao (Roma), Thiago Silva (AC Milan), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Michel Bastos (Lyon)

Midfielders: Gilberto Silva (Panathinaikos), Felipe Melo (Juventus), Josue (Wolfsburg), Elano (Galatasaray), Ramires (Benfica), Kleberson (Flamengo), Kaka (Real Madrid), Julio Baptista (Roma).

Forwards: Robinho (Santos/Manchester City), Nilmar (Villarreal), Luis Fabiano (Sevilla), Grafite (Wolfsburg).

WC GROUP SCHEDULE:
June 15 vs. Korea DPR
June 20 vs. Côte d'Ivoire
June 25 vs. Portugal

We continue the breakdowns of the "Group of Death" with Côte d'Ivoire.