Thomas Vermaelen, Kevin De Bruyne, Mousa Dembele Given World Cup Warning

Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has sent out a warning to his team's stars that they are risking their place at next summer's World Cup if they are not playing regularly for their clubs.

Per Raf Casert of the Associated Press via the Daily Mail, Wilmots was left disappointed by his side's 3-2 defeat against Japan at the weekend. The Asian side's fitness and pace proved important in the game.

Post-match, he spoke honestly about the problems he faces:

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We first have to settle the problem that players play for their club. December and January will be important even though I have little impact on it.

We will be dependent on the choice of players, who have to play for their club to get match rhythm. Otherwise life would be too good to be true.

The rhythm of a couple of players that no longer play (regularly) - with two matches in five days that is immediately obvious.

"

Among Belgium's leading lights, Kevin De Bruyne, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Mousa Dembele, Daniel van Buyten and Marouane Fellaini have all struggled for regular playing time this season.

As a consequence, Wilmots could arrive in Brazil with several first-team players unprepared for the rigours of playing so many games in such a short space of time.

It is a problem felt by national team managers the world over. However, with Belgium players having become the darlings of Europe's elite sides in recent years, Wilmots is suffering more than most.

De Bruyne and Dembele have been linked with moves away from their clubs in January, per Sky Sports' Kristof Terreur and the Mirror's Darren Lewis respectively. However, for Alderweireld, Vermaelen and van Buyten that option may not be quite as easy, with their clubs reliant on backup options in the pursuit of glory.

Belgium are blessed with multiple options in many positions, so players not featuring regularly for their clubs are well aware they are risking their starting spot in Brazil with each passing game.

Being an international manager is never easy, with players away from your control for long periods of time. Sometimes, though, it is important to step in and force a player's hand.

A Belgium side with the likes of De Bruyne and Dembele at full throttle will be feared at the World Cup, but those players need to kick their seasons into life. Wilmots has done just that.