Ramires has admitted that the Brazil squad is feeling anxious because of the pressure on them to win the World Cup.

The host nation gets the tournament underway on Thursday when they play Croatia in Sao Paulo.

Brazil are widely considered to be one of the favourites to lift the trophy on July 13, but Ramires concedes that the players are beginning to feel the weight of expectation.

"I think the question of winning is everywhere. Every game that Brazil is going to play, we have the pressure to win it," the midfielder is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.

"Because of this we're all quite anxious, all of the players, but they're all experienced and they have worked through difficult times in their careers before."

Ramires has scored four goals in 42 appearances for Brazil.