REUTERS/Marko Djurica
The team that have won a third of World Cup trophies since 1958 will kick off their latest campaign on Sunday, facing a Switzerland side who arrive in Russia in good form.
Brazil exited the tournament in the worst fashion four years ago, getting hammered 7-1 by Germany in front of their own fans. Their eventual fourth-place finish was written off as a failure.
Having waited four years to wash away that stain, they will look to make a strong start by imposing their authority in Group E.
Out to frustrate them will be a Switzerland side who are quietly confident of progressing to the knockout phase. That task can be achieved without getting a result in this game, so they might approach this clash with a ‘nothing-to-lose’ mentality.
Ahead of this intriguing encounter, we give you 5 good reasons to tune into this game.