Cristiano Ronaldo may have carried them through to Brazil, but Portugal cannot rely on their talisman alone if they are to navigate a tricky group and go deep into the knockout stages.
Paulo Bento's side are as unpredictable as they are talented, capable of genius and self-destruction in equal measure. With the likes of Joao Moutinho, Bruno Alves, Fabio Coentrao, Pepe and Raul Meireles, they carry with them plenty of experience, which, in theory, should see them progress from Group G, though they have been stung by the USA before in 2002.
Despite Ronaldo's presence, Bento's main concern is in attack, where Helder Postiga continues to be relied upon, with only Hugo Almeida as satisfactory back-up.
Portugal's Group G fixtures:
Monday June 16: Germany v Portugal - Salvador (17.00)
Sunday June 22: USA v Portugal - Manaus (23.00)
Thursday June 26: Portugal v Ghana - Brasilia (17.00)
Coach: Paulo Bento
Bento, who replaced Carlos Queiroz in 2010, has unfinished business at the World Cup, having won the last of his 35 caps at the 2002 tournament, when Portugal were embarrassed by USA and South Korea. In setting up his Portugal side, the 44-year-old former midfielder has satisfied his natural pragmatism and combined it with a shape and style that allows Ronaldo to flourish. In his first tournament with the national team, ex-Sporting coach Bento guided Portugal to the Euro 2012 semi-finals, where they were defeated on penalties by winners Spain.
Star Man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo almost single-handedly dragged Portugal to Brazil by scoring all four goals in the 4-2 aggregate win over Sweden in the play-off, outshining Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his own patch in the process. The Real Madrid star is a goalscoring machine, averaging around a goal a game for his club, and almost one in two after over 100 Portugal appearances, making him his country's all-time record goalscorer. At 29, Ronaldo is surely at his peak. The Ballon d'Or holder will be desperate to prove himself as the world's best on the biggest stage.
Tournament best: Winners 1954, 1974, 1990.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon).
Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit St Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia).
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Rafa (Braga).
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Silvestre Varela (Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg).
British based players:
Nani (Manchester United).
Sky Bet odds: 28/1
Ronaldo's dazzling performance in Portugal’s play-off victory over Sweden makes him a 14/1 shot to be top scorer at the World Cup. The Real Madrid man scored all four goals in his country's 4-2 aggregate victory and will no doubt be one of the main attractions in Brazil. As for Paulo Bento's side they are 3/1 to win a tough group that includes Germany and are 11/4 shots to bow out at the second round stage. Their best ever performance was in 1966 when they reached the semi-finals and are 8/1 to equal that in Brazil.