Nowhere on the planet does names like Brazil.

Fred, Hulk, Bernard and Maxwell could all feature tonight, but outside of the squad there are some even better names kicking about.

Lineker Hoffmann anyone? That's a woman, by the way. How about Rummenigge da Silva? Jorge Beckenbauer? Michel Platini Goes, Klinsmann Carrilho, Ruud Gullit Ribeiro or Diego Maradona da Silva?

I'm not making this up. Brazilians love naming their kids after footballers. it seems. And why not eh?

Adebayo Akinfenwa Rostance may see the light of day yet...

BBC's Brazilian Service has provided a selection of social media comments from Brazil fans looking ahead to tonight's match.

Maria Ines:, external Come one Brazil! Let's fill our nation with pride! Today we are one! Good luck.

Dalvo:, external To everyone in the Scolari family, God bless you. Come on, push the ball forward. We are one nation on our way to our sixth world title. BRASSSSSIL!!

Ana Carolina:, external For a country that does the biggest and the best carnival on the planet, that opening ceremony was very disappointing.

Ben Smith in Sao Paulo

"Luiz Felipe Scolari is loyal above all else. He sticks with the side that started the Confederations Cup final against Spain last summer and that means he stands by Oscar, despite huge pressure over here to replace him with his Chelsea team-mate Willian.

"Croatia are without suspended Bayern Munich striker Mario Mandzukic, so Nikica Jelavic deputises. Southampton defender Dejan Lovren comes into the side in defence but this looks quite an exciting, adventurous side with Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic in midfield."

Image source, AFP

The kitman is ready, the players are ready, the stadium is almost ready. In a little over 50 minutes' time the World Cup will be go...

Chris Waddle
BBC Radio 5 live summariser at the Arena De Sao Paulo

"They break quickly, Croatia, they are an ideal modern team in the way they look to bring teams on then go on the counter attack or take advantage of a mistake. They will have taken a lot from Brazil's performance against Serbia and will think they can hurt Brazil.

"They have energy pace, creativity. Luka Modric everyone knows, and Ivan Rakitic can run very quickly with the ball and can see a pass. If they can get the ball in a danger area, Nikica Jelavic can put the ball in the back of the net, so the Brazil back four will be tested.

"It's the ideal game for Croatia to start with, and I think we'll see them set up with a 4-5-1 and look to attack on the counter."

Croatia do not pick former Arsenal man Eduardo, so he won't play against his home country. Hull man Nikica Jelavic does start though, as does Real Madrid galactico Luka Modric.

Croatia: Pletikosa; Srna, Ćorluka, Lovren, Vrsaljko; Modrić, Rakitić, Perišić, Kovacic; Olić, Jelavić

The Brazil team is in - and it's entirely as expected. It's the same XI from the last friendly against Serbia and very much a first-choice team.

Brazil: Cesar; D.Alves, T.Silva, D.Luiz, Marcelo; Paulinho, L.Gustavo; Hulk, Oscar, Neymar; Fred.

Image source, AFP

BBC Radio 5 live

South American football expert Tim Vickery on BBC radio 5 live: "One of the first things Luiz Scolari did when he took the Brazil manager job in 2012 was to draw up a schedule of every day's activities - going up all the way up to the World Cup final in 2014.

"He is like a tropical version of Alf Ramsey, saying 'We are going to win it.' He has charisma and is a father figure to the players, it works really well. A master group former, he found it hard at Chelsea, where a multi-cultural dressing room wasn't looking for a father figure, he lamented the fact they were only looking for a professional relationship. He backs his players so much, fills them with such confidence."

And now Croatia are here. The World Cup is only an hour away...

Brazil have arrived. The team bus is in the stadium, backslaps and high fives all round.

Team news shortly...

Image source, Getty Images

Neymar is expected to operate from the left wing for Brazil, with the brilliantly-named Fred through the middle and the even better named Hulk on the right.

Why is he called Hulk? I always thought it was because he was a dead ringer for Lou Ferrigno, but apparently not.

Givanildo Vieira de Souza, to give him his full name, told his dad that he was as strong as the Incredible Hulk while watching the cartoon before 'destroying the house.'

His dad gave him the nickname and it stuck. If I destroyed my house a new nickname would be the least of my troubles...

You can ask BBC pundit and former England captain Alan Shearer anything you like on the BBC Sport Facebook page, external right now...

We've been asking who you are most looking forward to seeing in this summer's footballfest? Is there anyone you are desperate for your team to sign? Any inside info on who the ones to watch may be?

Luke:, external For me dark horse is definitely Bosnia. Edin Dzeko will prove his class on the big stage. Also watch out for Vedad Ibisevic.

Hilary:, external This is the first time in history a Brazilian defence is stronger than attack. Let's wait and see what happens.

Shane:, external I can't help but think that the artistic merit of the opening ceremony is a bit lost on us average football connoisseurs.

That's it - it's all over. The opening ceremony is done.

We should have team news in 15 minutes or so, then the real business can get up and running.

BBC Radio 5 live

BBC Radio 5 live chief football correspondent Ian Dennis at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus: "A green dye or paint is being applied to the lighter areas of the pitch at the Arena Amazonia in Manaus, where England play Italy. When you watch the game on Saturday it will certainly not look as bad as it did yesterday, but it is dry and it is sandy. England will be glad that they are the first to play there.

"But the bigger factor will be the humidity. There is hardly a breath of air pitch side even though the temperature has cooled to 35 degrees. Kick-off on Saturday will be at 18:00 local time, so the temperature should be lower still but humidity will be a factor."

Image source, AFP

Plenty of colour in Sao Paulo then - how about over in Manaus?

When in doubt, just shout 'Brasil!' - that's your fallback position and it almost works for Pitbull & Co.

I don't profess to be much of a choreographer or musical director - but this has been really bad...

"Show the world where you're from, show the world we are one." Lyrical gold there.

New Order's status is safe.

Image source, Getty Images

Song time. "We Are One" by rapper Pitbull, Claudia Leitte, and Olodum is happening.

And there is J-Lo! She made it.

Image source, Getty Images