The 2014 World Cup looks certain to take place in Brazil after Colombia, the only other candidates, pulled out of the running.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) handed its bid document to world governing body Fifa on Friday.
The five-time world champions have to finalise their bid, including government guarantees, by June 2007.
Fifa will conduct an inspection visit of Brazil in September 2007 before naming the 2014 hosts in November.
Brazil have hosted the event once before in 1950, when its team lost 2-1 to Uruguay in the final.
Four previous World Cups have been held in South America: Uruguay 1930, Brazil 1950, Chile 1962 and Argentina 1978.
The Brazilian bid has faced criticism at home, amid warnings that the country's infrastructure is not up to scratch.