Belgium's Axel Witsel (left) and Yannick Carrasco (Photo: IC)

Though the Chinese national football team did not make it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup, China’s top-tier football league has contributed eight players to the prestigious football world championship.

Belgian Yannick Carrasco and Axel Witsel, marquee names of the Chinese Super League (CSL), are at the top of the eight-man echelon.

Carrasco, who joined CSL newcomers Dalian Yifang in February, made his name with Spanish giants Atletico Madrid. At the struggling side Yifang, the 24-year-old winger scored three goals in 11 games.

Witsel joined Tianjin Quanjian in 2017 from Russian top flight club Zenit St.Petersburg, where he spent five seasons with the five-time Russian Premier League champions. His experience in Russia will undoubtedly help his national teammates cope with the conditions in the country.

Brazil's Renato Augusto of Beijing Sinobo Guoan  (Photo: IC)

Even five-star Brazil has a man hailing from China. Beijing Sinobo Guoan’s talisman Renato Augusto has said he hopes to bring back a World Cup to the Chinese Super League. Wearing a symbolic No.8 jersey for the national team, Augusto definitely wants to help Neymars wash away the embarrassment of the 7-1 loss to Germany at home four years ago.

Nigeria's John Obi Mikel (left) and Odion Ighalo (file photo)

Nigerian duo Odion Ighalo of Changchun Yatai and John Obi Mikel of Tianjin Teda will lead the African Eagles to fight for their glory. Their campaign starts with a game against Croatia, in a Group of Death which also features 2014 runners-up Argentina and Euro 2016 quarterfinalists Iceland.

Argentina's Javier Mascherano of Hebei China Fortune (file photo)

Argentina veteran Javier Mascherano, who joined CSL side Hebei China Fortune in January, hopes his team can advance further at the World Cup. Luckily, he is accompanied by his teammate and world megastar Lionel Messi.

Portugal's Jose Fonte of Dalian Yifang (file photo)

Messi’s arch rival Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal will lead the newly crowned European champions in search of their first world title. Ronaldo will get a hand from experienced defender Jose Fonte, who now is also helping CSL underdogs Dalian Yifang.

South Korea's Kim Young-gwon of Guangzhou Evergrande (file photo)

CSL’s only Asian player at the World Cup is Kim Young-gwon of Guangzhou Evergrande. The South Korean defender helped the seven-time league champions win two Asian Champions League titles. Though many fans have raised concern over his form, Kim certainly wants to prove what he can do under the gaze of a wider audience.