Marcello Lippi also ruled out taking Inter Milan's 19-year-old black striker Mario Balotelli to South Africa, saying he wasn't ready yet for the world stage.
"Brazil is a favourite for World Cup glory in July," Italy coach Marcello Lippi said on Tuesday as he all but ruled out taking Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli to South Africa.
European champions Spain have been the pick of many pundits, but Brazil will have extra motivation, according to Lippi, whose world champions are outside bets to retain their title because of a lacklustre qualifying campaign and an ageing team.
"Brazil are the strongest team," Lippi told a select group of foreign reporters. "The Brazilians will be very motivated as last time they knew they were the strongest team but lost [in the 2006 quarter-finals]."
Italy's lack of creativity has led to a wave of calls from Italians for outspoken Sampdoria playmaker Antonio Cassano and Inter Milan forward Balotelli to be named in the squad.
But Cassano's stock has plummeted since the turn of the year and he will not feature in South Africa while 19-year-old Balotelli has been dubbed the "wild child" of Italian soccer for constantly clashing with Inter coach Jose Mourinho.
Some pundits believe Balotelli, who is a black, should be added to the squad to improve racial harmony in Italy, but Lippi said the striker was not ready for the world stage.
"Everyone knows I'm against all racism," Lippi said. "There is only one race, the human race, but I'm certainly convinced a coach can't pick players for this reason.
"I'm sure when he has completed his process of growing up with Inter, he will be mature and he will have qualities useful for the Italian team."
Lippi said Italy would find it tougher to retain the World Cup than winning it four years ago, and again refused to clarify whether he would leave after the tournament.
He denied that his team was too old, saying experience counted for more than youthful exuberance in a month-long tournament, and joked that there was still time for a scandal to bring his players together just like the 2006 match-fixing affair did.
"Well, we've still got three months left," he said.
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