Rio de Janeiro: Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari said on Wednesday that he has already started planning for next year's World Cup final.
Speaking during an event in Rio de Janeiro, Scolari showed little fear of being dubbed overconfident by the Selecao's rivals, reported Xinhua. "The planning includes the final. We have to send that message," the 65-year-old said. "This is what we're passing onto the players so that they know that we are going to make it to the final. Who wants to finish second?"
Brazil will open the World Cup against Croatia in Sao Paulo on June 12. The final will be played July 13 at Rio's iconic Maracana stadium.
Scolari, who led Brazil to victory at the 2002 World Cup, insisted that half the battle would be psychological. "First the team has to win off the pitch. When we manage to win off the pitch, we will put one hand on the trophy. The Confederations Cup has already shown us that we can play well."
Brazil will name their World Cup squad on May 26 and hold their first training session at its Teresopolis base, in the hills north of Rio de Janeiro, on May 29.
The Brazilian Football Confederation has announced the team will play two friendlies before the World Cup. The first on June 4 will be against a team similar to Croatia, and the second, three days later, will feature an opponent from the Caribbean.
The Selecao have been drawn in Group A alongside Croatia, Mexico and Cameroon.
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