Brazil has talent, but winning in Europe will be challenge

BERLIN -- Brazil is so loaded with talent that it could probably field the best two teams in the World Cup.

Lucky for host Germany, the upstart United States and a handful of other upset hopefuls, the rules for soccer's big party -- the world's most popular sporting event -- only allow one team per country.

So when the tournament begins Friday, Brazil will have to make do with one squad.

And what a squad it is.

Player of the Year Ronaldinho alongside 2002 World Cup hero Ronaldo, flanked by the dynamic Kaka and Adriano. Veteran Roberto Carlos anchoring the defense along with the impeccable Cafu. More midfielders than coach Carlos Alberto Parreira can find time for. A solid goalkeeper in Dida.

Brazil's bench will be as formidable as some other entire teams, and that collection of riches makes the five-time champs a strong favorite to samba away with yet another trophy. An almost unfathomable sixth title -- and third in four World Cups -- would be twice as many as anyone else.

"It's true that we have great chances to win the World Cup," says Parreira, who coached his nation to the 1994 crown. "But that doesn't mean it's a done deal; we still need to play the matches and win them. And we know that's not going to be easy. All teams will be trying their best to beat the defending champions."

And who might be best prepared to upset the Brazilians?

History says Europe is the best place to start looking for candidates. Only one non-European nation has won a Cup staged on the continent: Brazil, naturally, in 1958.

There are contenders, however, from the Western Hemisphere in Argentina, Mexico and the United States.

The Americans are ranked fifth in the world, and if they escape a strong Group E that also has No. 2 Czech Republic and No. 13 Italy, they would carry a wave of confidence the rest of the way.

After outplaying Germany but losing 1-0 in the quarterfinals four years ago, the Americans have earned some of their swagger. If they can handle the physical nature of their opponents and the U.S. defense holds up, another lengthy stay is possible.

"We've come a long way in a short period of time," U.S. coach Bruce Arena said. "And that's what we did in 2002. We'd like to do it again in 2006."

Mexico, which displaced the Americans as FIFA's fourth-ranked team last month, has a much easier first-round division in Group D: Portugal, Angola and Iran. The Mexicans' biggest enemy could be infighting if things don't go well, particularly after striker Cuauhtemoc Blanco wasn't included on coach Ricardo Lavolpe's roster. Blanco claimed Lavolpe made it personal in cutting him.

Argentina, along with France, was the biggest flop of 2002, failing to get out of the first round. Coming off a fine qualifying effort in which it won 10 times, more than anyone else in South America -- including Brazil -- expectations once more are high for the Argentines.

The same is true in South Korea, which made a stunning run to fourth place as one of the hosts in 2002. After not winning a single game in their previous five trips to the World Cup, the Koreans rode the passion of their home fans and some impressive speed and playmaking into the semifinals.

They're more sure of themselves this time around, and play in a less-than-formidable Group G.

Generally, though, most non-European teams are long shots.

Host team Germany would seem a good choice to go far, but is in transition. Coach Juergen Klinsmann has gone offensive, dropping the mechanical schemes of recent German squads. Klinsmann, who lives in California, has also introduced American fitness trainers and a psychologist to the training regimen.

He often has been criticized for making so many changes, and if the Germans struggle early, it will be interesting to see if Klinsmann sticks to his nontraditional approach.