Confederations Cup 2013: What You Need to Know About the Host Nation of Brazil

The 2013 Confederations Cup is nearly upon us, and the host nation of Brazil is prepared to cut the ribbon on a year's worth of footballing festivities with the 2014 World Cup on the horizon.

FIFA's traditional curtain raiser will feature the likes of 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 winners Spain, Copa America champions Uruguay, Asian Cup winners Japan and international heavyweights Italy.

Mexico, Nigeria and Tahiti will also be eager to make their mark on the tournament as they prepare for the final stretch of their respective World Cup qualifying campaigns with a place at Brazil 2014 at stake.

But all eyes will be on the host nation and the Selecao to see how they will cope with the expectations and pressures of hosting FIFA's showpiece event.

The Confederations Cup will be the curtain raiser, a test of Brazil's ability to put on a show. With that in mind, Bleacher Report presents an in-depth look at the host nation.

Luiz Felipe Scolari Returns

The biggest talking point in Brazil during last season was undoubtedly the return of Luiz Felipe Scolari to the helm of the Selecao.

"Big Phil" as he is affectionately known amongst Brazilians, Scolari famously took the national team to World Cup glory in 2002 with a star-studded lineup featuring the likes of Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Ronaldinho.

But he is tasked with repeating his trick with a much inferior team than the one he took to Japan and South Korea in 2002.

His second spell has not gone according to plan either, winning just one of his first six games in charge of the Selecao, a 4-0 win over Bolivia.

In that time, Brazil have plummeted to 22nd in FIFA's world rankings based on international results over the past four years.

Scolari will be eager to answer his critics in the upcoming Confederations Cup as he looks to achieve legendary status in Brazil by winning an unprecedented sixth World Cup on home soil.

All Eyes on Neymar

But in order to achieve his objective, Scolari will have to get his talisman firing again for the Selecao.

Neymar is undoubtedly Brazil's most talented player, but he has been accused of going missing in the big games far too often.

Such criticism emerged once again in Brazil's 2-2 friendly draw against England at the Maracana earlier this month and also in the 3-0 win over France as he continues to endure a goalless spell stretching to seven international games.

The Selecao star recently sealed a €57 million move to Catalan giants Barcelona and the nation will be hoping that Neymar can gather the experience needed to improve his overall game and make a big splash at Brazil 2014.

But for now, the Selecao will be hoping to see Neymar perform on the big stage and fire them to Confederations Cup glory.

The next year is crucial in order to change people's perspectives of the ex-Santos star as he looks to fulfill his enormous potential.

A New Generation of Brazilian Talent...

However, Neymar is not alone as he will be supported by a new generation of extraordinarily talented Brazilian footballers.

Scolari has chosen the very best of Brazilian talent to take with him to the Confederations Cup and display their abilities for the world to see.

Several players have already made it to Europe, such as PSG playmaker Lucas Moura and Chelsea's Oscar, and viewers will recognise them from their exploits in last season's Champions League.

But there are players waiting to emerge from the Brasileirao, hoping to secure a move abroad. The likes of Atletico Mineiro star Bernard and Shakhtar's new signing Fernando will be keen to impress.

Corinthians' Paulinho is also playing for a big money move to Europe after his club slapped a €20 million price tag on the player.

The world's elite clubs will no doubt be keeping an eye on the Confederations Cup in the hopes of procuring some of Brazil's brightest stars.

...But Veterans Also Return

Youngsters won't be the only ones keen to impress as Scolari has filled his squad with veterans, hoping to secure one last hurrah at Brazil 2014.

Established stars such as Barcelona's Dani Alves, QPR's Julio Cesar and PSG's Thiago Silva will be joined by the likes of Fluminense's Fred and Atletico Mineiro's Jo, formerly of Manchester City.

Add to that Bayern Munich's Dante, Fluminense's Diego Cavalieri and Sao Paulo's Jadson, who are latecomers to the national setup but no less eager to be part of Scolari's plans for next summer.

And that's not including players left out of the Confederations Cup like Atletico Mineiro's Ronaldinho and Real Madrid's Kaka, who will always be part of the discussion.

Scolari will be counting on the veterans to call on their experience to assist the emerging young talent and guide Brazil to victory in the upcoming tournament.

The Fans Expect

There can be no excuses for Scolari. The fans expect.

Forget the woeful form in which Brazil will arrive at the Confederations; they must start getting things right and start winning games.

Because the fans expect a sixth World Cup victory on home soil in 2014, another star to add to their famed yellow and blue shirts.

The supporters expect the Selecao to reinforce its position in history as the greatest footballing nation ever to take to the pitch.

It is for this reason Scolari was recalled to the helm, replacing the much-maligned Mano Menezes, who for many couldn't cut it under the pressure.

Scolari has no excuses. He has all the tools at his disposal. He must succeed. For nothing less will do for the most successful nation in international football history.

He would do well to start winning now.