The 64 year wait is finally over, as the FIFA World Cup returns to the spiritual home of football. Brazil. The land of contrasts, where the poor people of the Rio favelas gaze down upon the rich play boys on Copacabana beach. Football unites rich and poor, young and old. It's why the 2014 World Cup promises to be the best in living memory. Here at www.totelfootball.com we won't just bring you the best fantasy football competition, with big prize money to be won, we'll also provide daily previews of every game. So if you fancy the home heroes to lift the Jules Rimet trophy again, or maybe the boys from Belgium to spring a surprise, this is the place to come.

Kick off is fast approaching at the Arena de Sao Paolo for the opening game of the World Cup. It's Brazil v Croatia. One of the main concerns is whether the stadium will be ready, that still remains to be seen. What is for sure is that Felipe Scolari will have his team of superstars ready. Their footwork may not be as fancy as in previous years, but their finishing is just as deadly. Leave the samba to the dancing girls, this Brazil team seem to say, and we'll stick to putting the ball in the back of the net.

They do have one shining superstar of course. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior. I'm glad the Brazilians like to shorten their player's names. Neymar can be brilliant on his day, but is he consistent enough to become the superstar that many say he should be? His first season at Barcelona has been hit and miss, scoring only 9 goals in a freely attacking team. His record in the national team, though, is very impressive. He's hit 31 in 49 for Brazil. He can handle the pressure of big games as well, as he showed with a spectacular performance against Spain in last year's Confederation's Cup final.

Up front, he is backed up by the exotically named Fred, Hulk, Jo and Bernard. They don't sound like Brazilians, unfortunately they don't play like Brazilians either.

Where Brazil have improved, however, is at the back. Thiago Silva is the consummate centre back, solid and unflappable. The same cannot be said of his partner David Luiz. They are like chalk and cheese, but it's a combination that works well together.

No team from outside of South America has ever won a World Cup in South America. But this year is different, because there is no longer the fear and excitement of the unknown. Only 4 of the Brazil squad play outside of Europe, and two of those are goalkeepers. There's never been a better time for a European team to cause an upset. Could it be Croatia?

In a word, no. Croatia are a solid team, well coached by Nico Kovac. Their star player, unfortunately, is out of this opening match. Talented striker Mario Mandzukic is suspended so is likely to be replaced by Hull City's Nikica Jelavic. Ex-Arsenal forward Eduardo is also in the call for a call up against the country of his birth, but his best years are behind him, so he will be consigned to the bench.

Kovac is talking about taking the game to the hosts, but in reality will want his players to park a red and white checked bus. For this reason it may not be the cracker jack start that everyone is hoping for. This world cup will be great, but the opening match may be less so. I would back Brazil to run out 1-0 winners, with Neymar or Oscar likely scorers. Hopefully I'm wrong, and it will be a 5-4 thriller. There's not long to wait. World Cup fever is gripping the globe.