Your Guide to Brazil's World Cup Roster

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Brazil's Neymar, left, celebrates with teammate Fred after scoring during a soccer friendly match against Argentina in Belem, Brazil, Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011.

Image: Andre Penner/Associated Press

By Sam Laird2014-05-07 22:58:32 UTC

2014 World Cup host Brazil — the country favored to win it all, but also the country under the most pressure to do just that — now knows which gladiators are going to enter the arena on its behalf.

Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari released his 23-man roster on Wednesday, despite the fact that FIFA, world soccer's governing body, does not require teams to submit finalized lists until June 2. (The U.S. national team, meanwhile, hasn't even announced its training camp roster yet.)

Scolari could still make changes, but it looks like his mind's made up.

Left out are Kaka and Ronaldinho — big names known to casual soccer fans, but whose best days are also behind them. But fear not, fans of the beautiful game: There's still plenty of talent to go around and keep the seleção, as Brazil's national soccer team is known, as entertaining as any team out there.

4 names you need to know

These are the hot shots who will dominate the World Cup watercooler conversation once the tournament kicks off on June 12.

Neymar

Just 22 years old, Neymar is already considered one of the world's most exciting players. The striker is a relatively slight 140 lbs, but what he lacks in imposing physicality he makes up for with quickness, agility and a preposterous skill level.

Neymar hasn't exactly been tearing it up for Barcelona lately (although he did inadvertently launch an excellent anti-racism campaign). But to say all eyes will on him in Brazil this summer would be putting it mildly. Wondering why he's such a big deal? This video should help you understand.

Hulk

Hulk — yes, just Hulk, and yes, that's an awesome name — will be another of Brazil's go-to goal scorers. Befitting his brawny name, Hulk is a physical presence on the pitch who relies on power and bullying defenders much more the the water-bug Neymar. Just look at the guy:

#108336796 / gettyimages.com

Meanwhile, here's a highlight reel:

Oscar:

So with Neymar and Hulk up front hunting goals, who's going to set them up? Oscar will be one of the seleção's top catalysts, an attacking midfielder who plays for elite English side Chelsea. The 22-year old has been dubbed "the new Kaka" by some fans. That's a lofty comparison, to be sure, but here's why it's legit:

Julio Cesar

At 34 years old, Julio Cesar is still one of the world's top goalies. In this, his third World Cup, he'll be looking for redemption. At the last tournament in 2010, his mistake against the Netherlands meant Brazil got booted in the quarterfinals. Here's a 2012 highlight reel:

The full squad

Sorted by position; club teams in parentheses.

Forwards

Neymar (Barcelona; Spain)

Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg; Russia)

Fred (Fluminense; Brazil)

Jô (Atlético Mineiro; Brazil)

Bernard (Shakhtar Donetsk; Ukraine)

Midfielders

Oscar (Chelsea; England)

Paulinho (Tottenham; England)

Fernandinho (Manchester City; England)

Willian (Chelsea; England)

Ramires (Chelsea; England)

Hernanes (Inter Milan; Italy)

Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg; Germany)

Defenders

Dani Alves (Barcelona; Spain)

Maicon (Roma; Italy)

Marcelo (Real Madrid; Spain)

Thiago Silva (PSG; France)

David Luiz (Chelsea; England)

Dante (Bayern Munich; Germany)

Maxwell (PSG; France)

Henrique (Napoli; Italy)

Goalkeepers

Julio Cesar (Toronto FC; Canada/MLS)

Jefferson (Botafago; Brazil)

Victor (Atlético Mineiro; Brazil)

Brazil plays the World Cup's first match, against Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12 at 5 p.m. local time. Its group also includes Cameroon and Mexico. Anything less than hoisting the championship trophy on July 13 will be seen as a massive disappointment.