The mood was festive and colourful on Tuesday morning as Brazilian and Croatian fans gathered in the German capital, Berlin, ahead of their teams' World Cup Group F clash later in the day.
Brazil are five-time champions and heavy favourites to win a record sixth world championship.
The Croats, third in the 1998 World Cup in France, have admitted a draw would be called heroic.
The match, scheduled for 9pm (19:00 GMT), is the first in the tournament to be played at the Olympia stadium.
A big screen has been set up at the Brandenburg gate for those fans not lucky enough to get tickets for the game .
Early on Tuesday morning fans of both teams wrapped in their nations' flags sang and danced in the sun while waiting for the game to start.
A Croatian fan said he thought his team stood a chance against the current champions, whilst Brazilian supporters appeared more optimistic about success.
"This is a formality," said one Brazilian fan.
Brazil's coach has said he expects Group F to be decided only in the final round.
Australia, Brazil's next opponent on Sunday, beat Japan 3-1 on Monday in their debut in the group.
Brazil and Croatia drew the only two times they played, including 1-1 in a friendly last year.
Both sides will be at full strength for Tuesday's match at the Olympiastadion.
