This could bring in the biggest upset in the tournament in beating Brazil. Yes, this is the group that features the team ranked number 1 in the world. Croatia 20th, Australia 49th and Japan 15th are far behind than Brazil.

Our gut instincts— Brazil

Who could beat Brazil at this level of play? Unless a miraculous performance by any of their three rivals this should be a walk in the park for Brazil. With Ronaldo the greatest striker in the world competing with the South American squad is a giant mountain block toward the coveted prize. Add up today’s greatest player in Ronaldinho plus the rising superstar status of Kaka; a different team on a different level is disguised in the form of Brazil.

Croatia and Australia provide the closest game in this group having Japan as a sleeper that could win against both of them. The Asian team who made it in the last 16 during the 2002 World Cup could have a slim chance if anything remote happens to the Brazil team like having three of their players suspended? Well, that doesn’t seem likely to happen anyway.

Expect a strong finish by Brazil on the first round.