Kyoto to Kazan - The J.League players who could be off to the World Cup

Milos Degenek - Australia

There are few better examples of a third-culture kid in the J.League. Milos was born in Croatia to Serbian parents; who later moved the family to Sydney, Australia. At youth level, he first represented the Socceroos when he was just 15, before changing to the Serbian U19 outfit only to go back to Australia for their U23 and later their senior side.

He’s now plying his trade with Yokohama F. Marinos and is one of the standout defenders in the first team. Last year he kept the backline straight and helped the side finish in the fifth position. Sadly, the team this year haven’t replicated similar form and currently 15th in the league. Degenek though has looked competent and solid. He has also shown that he can be a forward threat too, scoring the equaliser recently against Shonan.

In recent times Degenek has been a nailed-on starter for the Socceroos, but that was under the old regime with the manager. You see Ange Postecoglou left the position after securing qualification to the World Cup, leaving the FFA the unusual situation of having appointed a new coach in the lull of time between qualification and the tournament itself. It is uncertain whether Bert van Marwijk, the former Netherlands head coach will select Degenek or not.

Victor Ibarbo - Colombia

It wasn’t that long ago that Victor was a part of the Colombian squad that made it to the quarter-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Although he’s had quite the World Cup cycle since.

Anyone would think that he wasn’t happy in Sardinia. It seemed like the island full of literature, historic art and overtly fishy food wasn’t enough for him. Long story short he went away from the club many times in not so fruitful loan moves, which took him back to Colombia, to Rome, Greece and even Watford. You need to be desperately depressed to want to live in Watford. He eventually found himself in Japan; where he’s doing relatively well.

So far, he’s chipped in with two goals for the club and an assist. His passion to win is evident as well, to watch him play is to bare witness to a man who wears his heart on his sleeve undeterred that it might be a jarring experience for everyone else.

Hwang Eui-Jo - South Korea

Every football fan in Japan is pondering how just Gamba Osaka will get out this rather ugly looking hole they find themselves in. Well, the answer is most certainly includes this man. Hwang Eui-Jo has been one of the team’s only exciting players thus far.

The team have won just two games in the league, and the 25-year-old has scored in both. One of which was last weekend’s big Osaka derby, where he stepped up for the spot-kick - which proved to be the difference between the two clubs. A befitting role for him within the dramatis personae of the club this season.

Whilst he’s not a regular for the Taegeuk Warriors, his recent form cannot be ignored. He’s turned it on and could make a difference for the national team should he be able to transfer his Kansai form to his Korean game.

Shinzo Koroki - Japan

Urawa Red Diamonds are a fascinating team. For many J.League fans, the club from Saitama embodies good football. Players come and go at the club, but one man has stayed consistent and been exceptional throughout his tenure. Shinzo Koroki.

Since joining from Kashima Antlers back in 2013, he’s been a homogeneous source of goals. 20 league goals last year, 15 the year before… you get the picture. Add in the two cup competitions he averages at least 20 a season.

Yet, he’s been unrewarded for such great league form by various national team managers. Vahid Halilhodzic played him for a grand total of 12 minutes in the World Cup qualification campaign. Which is simply baffling considering he had a 20+ goal a season man on his hands. Interesting side note, Koroki is often selected as a senior player to participate in Japan’s Olympic football team. Sadly, not the full international side. Maybe the new head coach, Akira Nishino, will see sense and take him to Russia.

Alen Stevanovic - Serbia

Okay, okay, I got it. This is a long one. Europeans tend to need to play somewhere within Europe, I got you - preferably for a big club somewhere on the continent. Yet, Alen is playing some amazing football here in the J.League and how many other Serbian strikers can you name me?

The Zurich-born forward hasn’t been in Japan terribly long, joining Shonan Bellmare at the start of the season. He’s not had so much game time, as it’s taken him longer to acclimatise to the country.

Recently, he sent a large statement to the whole of the league in his first ever Kanagawa derby. His brace contributed to the enthralling 4-4 that we were treated to. During the match, the broadcast adjudged him to have scored a hat-trick, but it was later awarded to Harry Kane — oops sorry, Nakazawa OG. Whilst he hasn't earned an international cap in some five years, Stevanovic wouldn’t be a bad addition to the Serbians this summer.

Honourable mention:

Hugo Vieira - Portugal

Now then, steady on. It’s extremely unlikely that this will happen - as Hugo has not been capped for the country before at any level. The Braga-born journeyman forward has been successful almost everywhere he’s been in the last six years, except his homeland. Despite having spells with both Benfica and Braga, he mustered exactly zero goals.

He is, however, banging them in Japan, and regularly receives praise for his work with Yokohama. The problem is that he would have to dislodge the players who won the European Championship just two summers ago. Should a catastrophic illness hit Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the attacking players though - Hugo is in the right form to go to Russia.