Nico's natural choice: China

Thursday's pioneering call-up of London-born Nico Yennaris to the Chinese national squad underlines the country's desperate pursuit of a World Cup appearance, but insiders remain cautious on the quick fix.

After making history as the first player to appear in China's top league as a naturalized citizen, Yennaris, a former Arsenal youth team midfielder, is again in the global spotlight after being named to a 24-player Team China roster by head coach Marcello Lippi as part of the country's 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The enlistment means the Chinese Football Association, with support from Yennaris' Chinese Super League club Beijing Guo'an, has completed the paperwork required by governing body FIFA to make the 26-year-old eligible to represent his mother's homeland internationally.