World Cup 2014 Factbox: Brazil vs Croatia

Sao Paulo: Brazil will play Croatia in a Group A match in Sao Paulo on Thursday to set the ball rolling at the 20th FIFA World Cup.

Where: The Corinthians arena, Sao Paulo

Capacity: 61,606

Referee: TBC

Probable Brazil line-up: Julio Cesar, Marcelo, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Dani Alves, Paulinho, Luiz Gustavo, Oscar, Neymar, Fred, Hulk

Probable Croatia line-up: Stipe Pletikosa, Darijo Srna, Vedran Corluka, Dejan Lovren, Sime Vrsaljko, Ivica Olic, Ivan Rakitic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Ivan Perisic, Nikica Jelavic

Key stats:

- Brazil have played in the opening game of a World Cup on three previous occasions, beating Scotland (1998) and Mexico (1950) and drawing with Yugoslavia (1974).

- Croatia have failed to register a win in their last four games at the World Cup finals. Their last victory was a 2-1 win over Italy in June 2002.

- Brazil have won their opening game at the last eight World Cup tournaments.

Previous meetings: There have been two between the teams. The first was a 1-1 draw in a 2005 friendly in Split, the other a 1-0 win for Brazil in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup.

Last meeting: June 13, 2006, Berlin, Germany, World Cup group stage - Brazil 1 - 0 Croatia