A short journey to Wembley for Julio Cesar, who, as goalkeeper for Queens Park Rangers, needs little introduction to English crowds. It was thought Cesar would have to play second fiddle to England stopper Robert Green when he signed from Inter Milan two days before the summer transfer window closed in August but he has made the No 1 position his own.

The 33-year-old has been in and around the international set-up for a decade, first as understudy to Dida and then Heurelho Gomes and Doni. By the 2010 World Cup, however, he had established himself as the first choice and has retained his place despite a blunder against Holland that led to Brazil’s departure from the tournament.

Understudy to Cesar is Valencia custodian Alves, who has been involved with the international side for about 18 months now. He has made seven appearances in that time, mainly in friendlies. Valencia bought him from Almeria in the summer of 2011 and he has since become their No 1.

Chelsea fans might remember the string of superb saves he made in the Champions League group stage match at the Mestalla last season.

Lots of kick: Valencia and Brazil stopper Diego Alves warms up

DEFENDERS

Daniel Alves

Club: Barcelona Age: 29 Caps: 59 Goals: 5

Long regarded as one of the best right backs in the world, it remains a pleasure to watch Barcelona’s marauding, multiple trophy-winning Alves. His seven years of involvement in the Brazil squad make him one of the elder statesmen and he would certainly have more than 59 caps if not for the competition of Maicon.

After winning three league titles and two European Cups in his five years at Barcelona, Alves has found himself challenging for the right-back berth with Martin Montoya and compatriot Adriano Correia this season as coach Tito Vilanova rotates his squad.

Not shy: Barcelona's Dani Alves looks for a pass having drawn Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni out of his net in the recent Copa del Rey tie

Adriano Correia

Club: Barcelona Age: 28 Caps: 16

A unique player, Adriano can play on both sides of the pitch and, given his style, both in defence and midfield. The man challenging Dani Alves for a starting place at club level is still try him to usurp him internationally too. The 28-year-old, who excelled at youth level back in the early Noughties, has 16 caps for his country.

Another one who could travel to the game on the Tube, the mop-haired defender-cum-midfielder has become a crowd favourite in England these last two years. He’s also been a staple in the national side in the recent past, with his versatility and unrestrained tendency to attack an attractive asset under Mano Menezes and then Scolari.

A 2012 in which he won the Champions League featured another landmark when the 25-year-old captained his country for the first time in a friendly with South Africa in September.

Flying in: Colombia's Radamel Falcao sees his shot charged down by David Luiz during their friendly in New Jersey in November

Dante

Club: Bayern Munich Age: 29 Caps: 0

Dante, full name Dante Bonfim Costa Santos, has slotted perfectly into Bayern Munich’s first team this season and is now hoping to do the same for the Selecao. Scolari has rewarded the centre back’s solid displays as the Bavarians run away with the Bundesliga with a first national team call-up. If he gets on the field, he’ll be instantly recognisable for his afro hairstyle, which will look quite a sight alongside Luiz.

Another newcomer to the Brazil scene, having made his debut against Japan back in October, Leandro Castan has settled well into European football after joining Roma from Corinthians for about £4m in the summer.

Another fresh centre back that Scolari is keen to watch more closely, Joao Miranda de Souza Filho has featured consistently for Atletico in their La Liga and Europa League campaigns over the last two seasons. His international career is a strange one, however.

First called up to a Brazil squad in 2007, he didn’t actually get on the pitch until April 2009. Then, after winning six caps in qualifying, he missed the cut for the 2010 World Cup squad and didn’t feature again - until now.

Filipe Luis

Club: Atletico Madrid Age: 27 Caps: 1

Miranda’s team-mate Filipe Luis Kasmirski is also eligible to play for Poland through his father’s roots, but he opted for the more glamorous Brazil. He was involved with the Under 20 side back in the mid-Noughties when he played for Figueirense and Ajax but was then forgotten about. Finally, in 2009, he won his one and only cap against Venezuela in a World Cup qualifier. Now, however, his performances at Atletico, whom he helped to Europa League glory last season, have been recognised by Scolari.

Recognised: Atletico player Filipe Luis (top) has been handed a call up by Scolari after good club form

MIDFIELDERS

Ramires

Club: Chelsea Age: 25 Caps: 33 Goals: 3

Small and slim in stature but strong in desire and workrate, Ramires has developed into an exceptional midfield toiler for both Chelsea and Brazil, enjoying regular football for both. At 25, he already has 33 caps for his country and will be certain to feature in his adopted home city on Wednesday night.

Brazil’s No 8 first appeared for his country back in 2009, in the World Cup qualifiers for the South Africa tournament and hasn’t looked back. The then coach, Dunga, blamed their exit from the finals to Holland on the absence of the suspended Ramires and it was noticeable in that game how important his understated box-to-box work had become.

Similarly for Chelsea, where he has been rewarded with European Cup and FA Cup success in his two-and-a-half years.

Tireless: Ramires of Chelsea and Brazil, in action here against Scotland at the Emirates Stadium in 2011

Arouca

Club: Santos Age: 26 Caps: 3

One of the few who will be flying in from South America for this London friendly, 26-year-old Marcos Arouca da Silva is a dreadlocked defensive midfielder who tries to supply ammunition for Neymar at Santos.

Nimble and neat on the ball, he’s an established player in South America, having previously played for Fluminense and Sao Paulo. He’s won eight major trophies, domestically and on the continental stage in South America, and will now be seeking to build on his three international caps so far.

Paulinho

Club: Corinthians Age: 24 Caps: 8 Goals: 2

One of those players whom we’ve all heard of because of the constant speculation linking him to Chelsea, Manchester City or just about any other European giant – but may not have seen in action. In his teenage years, Paulinho did play in Europe, for FC Vilnius in Lithuania and Lodski in Poland, but after returning home to play for Corinthians, he’s not fancied coming back.

Before the January transfer window, he once again reaffirmed his commitment to the Sao Paulo side in the face of renewed rumours. Strong, powerful and full of beans, Paulinho has become a regular in friendly matches over the last couple of years (Brazil don’t have to qualify for 2014, remember) and has eight caps and two goals to his credit.

Speculation: Corinthians player Paulinho has been the subject of constant speculation over a move to Europe

Hernanes

Club: Lazio Age: 27 Caps: 8 Goals: 1

Playmaker with a well-honed passing ability who has shot to national team prominence in the last two years. His performances caught the eye of Lazio, who shelled out about £8m to buy him from Sao Paulo in august 2010.

In his first season in Italy, he left nobody in any doubt that he is able to contribute goals too, scoring 11 and equalling Pavel Nedved’s club record of goals from midfield. He’s now a vital cog in a Lazio side challenging for the Scudetto.

One of the squad that returned with Bronze from the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Hernanes is now being given a chance to show his club form on the senior international stage.

Stuck in: Hernanes goes into a tackle with Juventus player Arturo Vidal during last week's Coppa Italia tie

Oscar

Club: Chelsea Age: 21 Caps: 12 Goals: 4

Again, someone in the Brazil squad who needs no introduction to viewers of the Premier League. The youngster has not had the blistering impact on English football that Chelsea would have liked but his class is beyond doubt. He is seen as an important component of future Brazil sides too and, having served his time admirably in the youth ranks, has successfully graduated into the senior team.

The highlight of his time in England so far, having joined Chelsea from Internacional for £25m last summer, was undoubtedly his spectacular goal against Juventus in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.

But since Rafa Benitez replaced Roberto Di Matteo, his chances have been more restricted and there were rumours of a bust-up when Oscar was omitted from the FIFA Club World Cup final with Corinthians. But having got over that, he will be one to watch at Wembley on Wednesday.

Rising star: Oscar, of Chelsea, playing for Brazil at the 2012 London Olympics

Ronaldinho

Club: Atletico Mineiro Age: 32 Caps: 94 Goals: 33

Can you believe it’s 11 years now since Ronaldinho floated that free-kick over David Seaman’s head? Well, the toothy one is back as the elder statesman in the Brazil squad for this friendly. One of the most lauded and decorated players in football, and late of European powerhouses Barcelona, PSG and AC Milan, Ronaldinho has certainly had an entertaining career.

It seemed that his international days were over but Mano Menezes and now Scolari continue to see his value and he’s creeping towards a century of caps, having gained his first in 1999. Club wise, Ronnie is currently plying his trade for Atletico Mineiro in his native country, having moved there from Flamengo last year.

The flicks and tricks continue to flow, however, and there will be many with their eyes fixated on his every touch at Wembley.

Still going strong: Ronaldinho will relish taking on England 11 years after knocking them out of the World Cup

Lucas Moura

Club: Paris Saint-Germain Age: 20 Caps: 22 Goals: 3

The latest in the long conveyor belt of Brazilian talent to move to Europe is Lucas, who can play as an attacking midfielder or in a wider position. Linked with Manchester United for a long time, the 20-year-old opted to join French side PSG for a club record fee of over £30m last month.

Previously, he had been at Sao Paulo, providing a flurry of goals and assists in his three seasons there. Has also been given a good chance at international level, playing pretty much every game over the last two years and English-based fans may remember he played at the London Olympics.

Top talent: PSG playmaker Lucas Moura (right) in action against Toulouse in a recent French Cup tie

STRIKERS

Hulk

Club: Zenit St Petersburg Age: 26 Caps: 18 Goals: 6

Givanildo Vieira de Souza, universally known as Hulk, swapped sunny Portugal for the slightly colder climes of St Petersburg in the summer, commanding a phenomenal transfer fee of almost £40m. But it has not gone too well for the 26-year-old out in Russia, to be honest.

His huge wage was the subject of angry chatter in the dressing room and then he apparently fell out with coach Luciano Spalletti during their Champions League campaign. His arrival wasn’t warmly received by every Zenit fan either, with some subjecting him to racist abuse.

These factors led Hulk to seek an escape route but it remains to be seen who can afford his exorbitant transfer fee and wages. In the meantime, he hopes to continue his prolific scoring record – he averages a goal every three games for Brazil and got 78 in 169 at Porto – against England.

Goal machine: Hulk has not had the best of times since moving from Porto to Zenit, but he will still present a major danger for the England defence

Neymar

Club: Santos Age: 20 Caps: 27 Goals: 17

A player who will send a ripple of excitement around Wembley and a shiver through the England defence. One of the best players in the world but, as yet, lesser spotted by European audiences as Neymar continues to play in his native land for Santos.

Our only sighting of the 20-year-old, anointed by Pele as ‘an excellent player’ (praise indeed), came at the London Olympics, but this friendly will be a real opportunity for the forward to wow his many European suitors.

Tipped to become the best player in world football, Neymar has already showcased his explosive playmaking abilities and faultless finishing on the South American stage, winning a warehouse full of accolades even though he’s only 20.

Named like a Revolutionary hero, Frederico Chaves Guedes – or, if you’d prefer, plain old Fred – has already done the whole European thing and then gone back home again. He featured in the Champions League for the Lyon side that dominated French football in the late Noughties and netted 41 times in 119 games for them.

Since returning home with Fluminense in 2009, his goal ratio has skyrocketed, with a mighty 59 strikes in 87 league outings. Internationally, he has six goals, the most notable a tap in against Australia in the 2006 World Cup group match.

Prolific: Fred leading out the Fluminense team in a local championship match this weekend

Luis Fabiano

Club: Sao Paulo Age: 32 Caps: 44 Goals: 28

And if those three strikers aren’t enough, there’s also Luis Fabiano to bring on, who has boasted a formidable scoring record throughout his career – whether in Europe, South America or in the yellow of Brazil. Now back at hometown club Sao Paulo via Porto and Sevilla, he’s ranked in official statistics as the highest scoring Brazilian of this century – which is no mean feat.

His international ratio of 28 in 44 is excellent, especially considering there was a three-year gap in his Brazil career between 2004 and 2007. World Cup fans may remember his double against the Ivory Coast in the 2010 group stage and another in the second round match with Chile.

He also played against England in the November 2009 friendly in Doha, Qatar, and scored in the 2006 UEFA Cup final, when Sevilla beat Middlesbrough 4-0.