Usami was named among the 23-man squad that will represent the Samurai Blue when they take on Colombia, Senegal and Poland in the country’s sixth straight qualification for the Finals, and his selection prompted an outpouring of emotion.

"My wife was in tears,” said the 26-year-old former Gamba Osaka and Bayern Munich midfielder, who made his debut for Japan in 2015. “It's the first time ever that my wife cried over football or what I achieved in my career. 

“(The World Cup) is a place I've been wanting to get to ever since I watched the 2002 World Cup. I wouldn't be lying if I said the reason I can stay motivated about football is because of the World Cup.”

Eight years ago, Kawashima was selected into the Japan squad as a backup to Seigo Narazaki. With the competition kicking off, though, he emerged as the surprise starting goalkeeper in preference to the first-choice custodian due to some standout performances during pre-tournament friendlies.

He duly seized the opportunities, excelling throughout as the Samurai Blue progressed from a group which also featured the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon.

That marked Japan’s first time in reaching the second round on foreign soil. While it’s certainly an achievement to be proud of, it was their loss against Paraguay in the second round meeting that leaves Kawashima still lamenting today.

In fact, Kawashima and company impressed against the South Americans by holding them goalless after 120 minutes, only to lose out 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out.

"We were so disappointed by the result in 2010," the 35-year-old said. "We came so close to reaching the last eight. But in the end we missed the chance. Looking back, I think that some details made the difference and decided the result."

The former JFA technical director, who took charge from Vahid Halilhodzic last month, signalled his intentions by turning to his old guard, including talismanic forward Keisuke Honda and playmaker Shinji Kagawa.

Japan, beaten 2-0 by Ghana on Wednesday in Nishino's first game as coach, face Colombia, Senegal and Poland in Group H at the World Cup.

Forward Shinji Okazaki (pictured below), who has won an English Premier League title with Leicester City, and defenders Yuto Nagatomo and Maya Yoshida will also bring experience.

The Koreans exited in the first round of the 2014 tournament in Brazil and have their work cut out to avoid the same fate in Russia, where they have been drawn alongside holders Germany, Sweden and Mexico.

But they boast genuine star quality in snake-hipped Tottenham attacker Son, who lit up the Premier League this season, helping Spurs finish third and secure a UEFA Champions League place.

One of the best players to emerge from Asia, the 25-year-old scored 18 goals in all competitions in a brilliant campaign with the London club and once again carries the hopes of a nation heading into the FIFA World Cup.

It was the only goal in Saudi Arabia's 1-0 qualifying win against Japan but it was enough to secure the side a place in the Finals for the first time in 12 years. 

It was a heady moment for the 23-year-old, originally a substitute, who was feted as a national hero at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah. 

Since then the Al-Ittihad midfielder, who grew up in the port city of Jeddah, has emerged as one of the kingdom's brightest young talents, and was among key players sent off to Spain to hone their skills for the second half of this season.

The 23-year-old striker has already racked up 23 goals for IR Iran since making his debut against Montenegro in May 2014. 

That has put him in the top five of Team Melli's all-time goalscorers, helped by his great leaping ability and bursts of acceleration.

Born in the remote city of Gonbad-e Kavus in northeastern Iran, Azmoun was a volleyball star in his teenage years before landing a place at the Sepahan football academy in Isfahan.

He made a serious impact with IR Iran's youth teams between 2009 and 2013 and was snapped up by Russian club Rubin Kazan at the age of 17, becoming the first Iranian to play in the Russian Premier League. 

Azmoun stayed with the team despite reported interest from Arsenal and Liverpool, among others. He left for Russia's Rostov in 2015 before returning to Rubin Kazan two years later.

The former Real Madrid head coach will lead his team into matches with Morocco, Spain and his native Portugal in the group phase of this summer’s tournament with the goal of taking the Iranians into the second round for the first time in the country’s history.

And the 65-year-old is confident his players will be fully focused on achieving that goal when they kick off their 2018 campaign in St. Petersburg against Morocco on June 15 despite stating his desire to end his seven-year stint with Iran.