It remains to be seen how many of those who started at the New Meadowlands stadium on Tuesday will be in the team that takes the field for the opening game in Brazil in four years time but the new faces on show certainly played like they were capable of performing on the biggest stage.
None shone more than 18-year-old Neymar, a player who many in Brazil had urged Menezes' predecessor Dunga to take to South Africa this year.
The slightly built Neymar's superbly taken header to open the scoring was an illustration that as well as superb control and energetic pace, he also has the striker's ability to convert chances however they may fall to him.
Nothing is certain in football but few would bet against Neymar being a well known name, with one of Europe's top clubs, by the time the next World Cup comes around and he certainly is not short of confidence.
"I had some nerves early on, with this being my debut," he told Reuters, "But it got easier when the ball began to roll and of course the goal settled me," he said.
Real Madrid's Kaka, out with injury, is the current owner of Pele's old jersey, but he will need to get back to his very best to fend off the challenge from Ganso who is very much an enabling playmaker, prompting others and opening up spaces.
"The (number 10) jersey is certainly a heavy one in terms of responsibility but it is up to me now to go away and work hard and try to earn another call-up," he said.
With Pato close to his lively best in attack, after a season plagued by injury and Robinho showing signs of his quality as well, Menezes' new team, featuring just four players who were in South Africa, already looks to be taking shape and certainly has indicated it's character.
"Personality is not something you can really give a team," said Menezes after the game, "Either you have it or you don't. This performance was a sign that they have it," he said.
