Confident Brazil Full of Hope For World Cup 2014

Brazil's success at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup is beginning to sink in, with the players disappearing off to their various homes across the world in the knowledge that they have proven a point.

It was difficult not to doubt the Selecao ahead of the competition. The only side they had beaten in eight games prior to the final warm-up encounter with France was Bolivia—and that was not even with full-strength sides on show.

Brazil were in a malaise that extended back to the 2010 World Cup. A promising start under Mano Menezes quickly fizzled out, while the 2011 Copa America was a disaster from start to finish.

The subsequent 18 months were spent playing friendlies against the likes of Gabon, China and Iraq, while what appeared to be a shot of redemption at the Olympic Games also fell through at the final hurdle.

It was clear that Brazil were not a bad collection of players, but they were no longer a good side. The introduction of Luiz Felipe Scolari last December had done nothing to change that feeling, and the doubts over his future were already growing only a few weeks ago.

Now, though, the outlook suddenly appears considerably brighter for Big Phil and his charges.

With time to train together as a unit, things were always going to improve somewhat ahead of the Confederations Cup. However, a difficult group draw alongside Mexico, Japan and Italy meant that they would need to come out firing from the opening minute of the tournament.

Victory over France just a few days before the big kickoff, a result made to look emphatic by two late goals, was perhaps key to doing just that. It was exactly what Brazil needed, and the manner of the success gave real momentum heading into the fixture with Japan.

There were issues that needed ironing out over the course of the competition, most notably the balance of the midfield. However, in reality, it was fairly smooth sailing for a side that remained virtually unchanged over the course of five matches.

A settled team unit was one thing Brazil had not had since the time of Dunga and the 2010 World Cup, but Scolari has worked quickly to establish a core of 14 or 15 players whom he sees as vital for next summer.

Besides the 11 starting players at the competition, the names of Fernando, Hernanes, Dante and, more than likely, both Lucas Moura and Bernard can already be pencilled in. The remaining squad spaces remain available for anybody to claim over the coming year.

With confidence and stability, Brazil have the level of talent required to be a threat to any side in the world—the past few weeks have shown that. Now, it is a case of retaining that confidence until next summer when they will once more welcome the world's best into town.

What is encouraging is that Brazil's key players should be more complete players in 12 months' time. Neymar and Paulinho will have spent a year playing in top European leagues, while Lucas Moura and Oscar should improve for their second season in Champions League football.

More interesting, perhaps, will be the development of David Luiz—who was simply outstanding over the past few weeks. Initial over-enthusiasm in the group stage was reined in, and he came to the fore in the final two rounds.

He is a player who has faced more than his fair share of criticism, but has the potential to be one of the world's leading centre-backs. It will be interesting to see how he is used under Jose Mourinho at Chelsea, but the hope will be that he is re-installed in defence on a regular basis.

There is now plenty to look forward to for Scolari and his side, with the pressure brought about by poor performances now off their shoulders.

Some bookmakers may have installed them as favourites for next summer, but expectations must be kept at a realistic level. They will doubtless be among the challengers for the title next summer, but they would do well to limit what will already be intense media hype.

In Scolari and Carlos Alberto Parreira, the Selecao have two experienced guides for what will be an unbelievably high-pressure 12 months. The side's hopes of success, though, are looking better than even the experienced coaching duo could have imagined.