World Cup Homepage | View Group Tables | Week 1 | Week 2
Goalkeepers
12-Dida (Corinthians)
Born: 7.10.73
Currently reserve to Marcos, he was Brazil's regular first choice for two years after Claudio Taffarel retired and earned a reputation for saving penalties. His career suffered badly from an unsuccessful move to AC Milan, where he was consigned to the reserves and became embroiled in the passport scandal.
1-Marcos (Palmeiras)
Born: 4.8.73
Likely to be the first choice goalkeeper, Marcos was a reserve at his club until the age of 26, then made his name in 1999 after being thrown into the Libertadores Cup fray. He responded with several outstanding displays which helped Palmeiras win the title for the first time.
22-Rogerio Ceni (Sao Paulo)
Born: 22.1.73
Rogerio Ceni was Brazil's first choice early last year but has been given few chances under Scolari. Like Paraguay's Jose Luis Chilavert, he regularly scores goals from free kicks, though not for his country. Raised at Sao Paulo when former Brazil coach Tele Santana was in charge in the early 90s.
Defenders
3-Lucio (Bayer Leverkusen)
Born: 8.5.78
Made headlines in the Sydney Olympics for punching a team mate but insists he has calmed down since moving to the Bundesliga. Strong in the tackle and good in the air, his performances under Scolari are likely to guarantee him a place in the starting line-up
4-Roque Junior (AC Milan)
Born: 31.8.76
Strong defender whose injury time winner over Colombia turned out to be one the most important goals of Brazil's World Cup qualifying campaign. Scored on his debut in a friendly away to Thailand and played in half of Brazil's qualifiers. Made his name at Palmeiras, where Scolari was his coach for two years.
13-Belletti (Sao Paulo)
Born: 20.6.76
Likely reserve to Cafu at right-back. Staked his claim with some good performances in the Copa America last year. Powerful player with a tendency to lash out which has earned him red cards. Raised at Cruzeiro.
2-Cafu (AS Roma)
Born: 17.6.70
Has held the right-back position almost unchallenged since coming on 17 minutes into the 1994 World Cup final. This will be his third World Cup, though his performances have not always been convincing and his crossing is erratic. Groomed at Tele Santana's Sao Paulo in the early 90s, winning two Libertadores titles.
6-Roberto Carlos
(Real Madrid) Born: 10.4.73
Left-back famous for his booming left-foot shot, though his last free-kick goal for Brazil was in 1997. A regular fixture at left-back, he has been criticised for alleged aloofness and has recently hired an assistant to try and improve his image back home.
5-Edmilson (Olympique Lyon)
Born: 10.7.76
Can play in the centre of defence or in midfield and has given some assured performances for Brazil, though he has not been picked regularly. Raised at modest provincial club XV de Jau, he made his name during a five-year stint with Sao Paulo. Made his debut in 2000 in the 2-1 defeat by Paraguay.
14-Anderson Polga (Gremio)
Born: 9.2.79
Took his chance with both hands after being tested in Brazil's friendlies earlier this year and was rewarded with a place in the World Cup squad. Confident central defender and dangerous when he joins the attack.
19-Junior (Parma)
Born: 20.6.73
Speedy left-back who has been included despite never settling at international level. Began his career at Vitoria, then joined Palmeiras where he made his name before heading for Italy
Midfielders
7-Emerson (AS Roma)
Born: 4.4.76
Tough-tackling midfielder who made a strong impression the moment he first pulled on a Brazil shirt against Ecuador in 1997. Twice thrown into the fray as a substitute during the 1998 World Cup and now a regular in the heart of the midfield. Critics say he gets too many red and yellow cards
8-Gilberto Silva (Atletico Mineiro)
Born: 7.10.76
One of Brazilian football's biggest revelations last year after joining Atletico Mineiro from their smaller rivals America where he was raised. A mainly defensive midfielder but he has good technique and passing
9-Juninho Paulista (Vasco da Gama)
Born: 22.2.73
Excellent dribbling, astute passing and good finishing make Juninho one of Brazil's best players and he has benefited from moving back home after spells with Middlesbrough and Atletico Madrid. Another player raised at Tele Santana's Sao Paulo in the 90s, he missed the last World Cup in France because he had not had long enough to recover from a broken leg.
15-Kleberson (Atletico Paranaense)
Born: 19.6.79
Attacking midfielder who made his name last year as he helped his club win the Brazilian championship for the first time. Rewarded with his debut against Bolivia in January and celebrated by scoring in a 6-0 win.
10-Rivaldo (Barcelona)
Born: 19.4.72
Former World Player of the Year Rivaldo scored eight goals in the qualifiers, yet his performances were criticised as lethargic and his national team commitment has often been questioned. Rivaldo admitted he almost threw in the towel at one stage. Scolari's challenge is to find him a role which will allow him to shine in Japan and South Korea.
23-Kaka (Sao Paulo)
Born: 15.5.82
Made his professional debut last year for Sao Paulo and quickly made an impact for his skill inside the penalty area.
18-Vampeta (Corinthians)
13.3.74
Vampeta, whose name is a cross between vampire (vampiro) and devil (capeta), was included in the last minute after an impressive return to form with Corinthians this year. Strong at breaking out of defence and with a powerful right-foot shot, he created controversy four years ago by posing nude for a magazine.
11-Ronaldinho (Paris St Germain)
Born: 21.3.80
His goal at the 1999 Copa America brought back memories of Pele's famous 1958 World Cup final effort. After that, however, he was shunned by coach Vanderlei Luxemburgo, then became caught in a protracted legal dispute between Paris St Germain and his first club Gremio.
Forwards
20-Edilson (Cruzeiro)
Born: 17.9.71
Quick, slippery and dangerous, Edilson is known as the Little Devil. Was involved in a huge row with Scolari when the pair were with rival clubs but has since made peace. However, he has a poor disciplinary record, with a reputation for missing training and creating rifts in the clubs where he plays.
21-Luizao (Gremio)
Born: 14.11.75
A penalty area specialist with an excellent goalscoring record. he has just recovered from a serious knee injury which prevented him earning a move to the Bundesliga. Scored two of the goals in the 3-0 win over Venezuela, which clinched Brazil's place.
9-Ronaldo (Inter Milan)
Born: 22.9.76
The former World Player of the Year has recovered from an exasperating sequence of muscular injuries after getting over two knee operations. His strangely lethargic performance in the last World Cup final after suffering a fit before the match has left a lasting mark and he has never appeared to be the same player since.
17-Denilson (Real Betis)
Born: 24.8.77
Probably the player who most reminds Brazilians of the old days with his cheeky dribbling. Best when coming on as a substitute, the role he was given in France four years ago. Another player raised under Tele Santana at Sao Paulo