That is why Wilmots is already eagerly looking at the winter transfer window to see where some of his best men might end up. "December and January will be important even though I have little impact on it," he said.
In theory, Belgium could be better off with players who perform regularly at low-level clubs than stars who are warming the benches of big clubs.
"We will be dependent on the choice of players, who have to play for their club to get match rhythm," Wilmots said. "Otherwise life would be too good to be true."
With Alderweireld, Van Buyten, Vermaelen and Dembele starting against Japan, Belgium too often looked slow in defense and could not match the agility of the Japanese, many of whom play for lower clubs in big leagues or in the J-League.
If the problem was less evident in a 2-0 loss to Colombia last Thursday, it stood out five days later.
"The rhythm of a couple of players that no longer play (regularly) with two matches in five days that is immediately obvious," Wilmots said.
During a sterling qualifying campaign, Belgium rose to No. 5 in the FIFA rankings but after the two losses, it risks falling outside the top 10.
"We have quality, but quality needs match rhythm. You need matches, minutes of play," Wilmots said. "If you don't play, and sit in the stands, it becomes difficult."
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Follow Raf Casert on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/rcasert
