Silva promises fans: ‘Rest assured, we are ready’

Captain Thiago Silva knows Brazil face "fierce competition" in Qatar but feels the squad are relaxed as they prepare to kick off their bid for World Cup glory with their opening Group G game against Serbia.

The Selecao headed to the Gulf state as No 1 in the FIFA rankings and qualified top of the South American CONMEBOL standings.

It has been 20 years since Cafu lifted the trophy in Yokohama, with plenty of heartache since, including being humbled on home soil with a chastening 7-1 semi-final defeat by Germany in 2014.

After being beaten by Belgium in the 2018 quarterfinals, Chelsea defender Silva knows there is an increased level of expectation to make a further impact in Qatar. "We know that it is a fierce competition and we needed to be ready, first of all for the first match," the 38-year-old said.

"We all know the importance that the first match has to deal with our nerves and in that sense, we are confident that we will have a good performance.

"We truly believe in everything we have done up to today and are about to make our first appearance in the World Cup in a very favourable position.

"What I can tell the Brazil fans is please believe in us - rest assured that we are ready to do a great World Cup. It is obvious the title is still very far away, but we can dream on and that is what we do every day."

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic remains hopeful on the fitness of striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who missed Fulham's last couple of Premier League games with a foot problem. "In the past four or five days, he has been working with the team," Stojkovic said.