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Whatever the draw, Brazil is the favorite to win
(AP)
Updated: 2005-12-05 09:34

LONDON (AP) - From Argentina to Angola, England to Ecuador, the 32 contenders for the World Cup title all dream of winning the game's biggest prize.

Realistically, it looks like a one-horse race.

razilian soccer players Kaka, Cafu, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Roberto Carlos (L-R) pose while filming a commercial in Madrid December 1, 2005. Picture taken December 1, 2005.
Brazilian soccer players Kaka, Cafu, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robinho and Roberto Carlos (L-R) pose while filming a commercial in Madrid December 1, 2005. Picture taken December 1, 2005. [Reuters]

As the coaches descend on Leipzig, Germany, wondering who they'll get in the draw on December 9, they have one other major concern: How do you stop Brazil?

The United States is back for the fifth time in a row and hoping to improve on its quarterfinal finish in 2002. Argentina, Italy, France and host Germany are among the leading candidates to reach the final, and the English believe they have their best team since they won the title 39 years ago.

But they all have an eye on the defending champions, who arguably will bring the strongest Brazilian national team ever to the 2006 World Cup. Carlos Alberto Parreira's team is a favorite to win a sixth title no matter who it draws in its group.

Despite having five of the best attackers in the world at his disposal _ Real Madrid's Ronaldo and Robinho, Barcelona's Ronaldinho, AC Milan's Kaka and Inter Milan's Adriano _ Parreira refuses to field all of them at the same time. He figures that will weaken the team's defense.

"Let's not get carried away," Parreira said as Brazil looks to win the title for the third time in four World Cups _ it lost in the 1998 final to France. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. A football team has to have balance."

Two days before the 32 teams will be turned into eight groups of four, FIFA and the championship committee will decide how to seed them. In the past, seeding has been based on previous results in international competitions, but there could be changes this time to reflect the growth of the game in Africa, Asia and the United States.
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