All you need to know about Iceland ahead of the World Cup

Iceland World Cup 2018 profile: Ones to watch, best bets and more

22:12 · FRI June 15, 2018

Iceland became everyone's favourite nation at Euro 2016. Now they are ready to take the world stage by storm.

Iceland Factfile

FIFA World Ranking: 22
Sky Bet outright winner odds: 250/1
Best bet: Iceland to finish third in Group D at 15/8
World Cup appearances: 0
Nickname: Strakarnir Okkar (Our boys)

Coach - Heimir Hallgrimsson: Hallgimsson also works as a dentist and in fact still has a clinic back in Iceland, but he helped steer the side to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016 alongside joint coach Lars Lagerback. When the Swede steped aside after the tournament in France, Hallgrimsson took sole charge and now he's the man leading them into their first World Cup.

Legend - Eidur Gudjohnsen: The former Chelsea and Barcelona striker is one of Iceland’s most coveted footballing legends having played at the very top level for many years. He is Iceland’s all-time top goalscorer with 26 goals.

Star man - Gylfi Sigurdsson: Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored 18 goals in 55 appearances for the national side. He will be expected to play a key role in helping to lead Iceland to the knockout stages.

Did you know? Iceland has a massive amount of coastline of just over 3000 miles.

Fun Fact: Iceland are the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup with a population of around 335,000. Trinidad and Tobago, with 1.3m inhabitants, previously held the record after qualifying for Germany 2006.

Qualifying: Impressive Group I winners in European qualifying, picking up 22 points from 10 games to finish two points clear of runners-up Croatia.

Group D fixtures: Argentina (2pm, June 16, Moscow), Nigeria (4pm, June 22, Volgograd), Croatia (7pm, June 26, Rostov-On-Don)

Iceland squad

Goalkeepers: Hannes Thor Halldorsson (Randers FC), Runar Alex Runarsson (FC Nordsjælland), Frederik Schram (FC Roskilde).

Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), Ari Freyr Skulason (K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen), Birkir Mar Saevarsson (Hammarby), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (FC Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol City), Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (Maccabi Haifa), Ragnar Sigurdsson (FC Rostov).

Midfielders: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley), Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Malmo FF), Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton), Olafur Ingi Skulason (Kardemir Karabukspor), Rurik Gislason (FC Nurnberg), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Alfred Finnbogason (FC Augsburg), Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (FC Rostov), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Reading), Albert Gudmundsson (PSV Eindhoven).

Iceland Profile

Iceland’s fairytale on the international football stage has another incredible chapter, and the small nation cannot wait for the action to get underway in Russia.

Despite knocking England out in Euro 2016, they are a team you cannot help but enjoy watching succeed against all the odds.

Eidur Gudjohnsen celebrates with his Iceland team-mates after scoring in 2008

With a population of around 335,000 they are by far the smallest nation to reach the World Cup finals and Heimir Hallgrimsson has continued the good work done by Lars Lagerback as manager of the national team.

The Viking Clap will be heard loud and proud in Russia although they have the odds stacked against them once again with Argentina, Nigeria and Croatia - although they have already got one over on the Croats after finishing above them in qualifying.

Who to watch out for

Their success in recent years has led to Icelandic players featuring in some of Europe’s top leagues.

The obvious choice for who to look out for would be Gylfi Sigurdsson. The 28-year-old playmaker cost Everton around £50m to sign from Swansea, and he will be key to his nation’s hopes of progressing from the group.

His level of influence at this summer’s tournament depends on his fitness, with a knee injury keeping him out of action since March.

They are captained by Aron Gunnarsson, who recently helped Cardiff to gain promotion back to the Premier League. He could be partnered in midfield by Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson.

Other English-based players include Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Reading) and Hordur Bjorgvin Magnusson (Bristol City).

How did they qualify?

They may have been drawn against Croatia in their World Cup group, but will know what to expect after facing them in qualifying – and topping the standings ahead of them. Iceland were beaten in Zagreb, before a late goal saw them snatch victory on home territory.

They secured qualification and top spot in the last game after beating Kosovo, with a 22-point return from a possible 30, as they reached Russia ahead of Ukraine, Turkey and Finland.

Any interesting facts about Iceland?

A doctor in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital, reportedly spoke of a baby boom in the country some nine months after their famous victory over England.

Iceland actually had a ban on most types of beer up until 1989. The country now celebrates ‘Beer Day’ on March 1st, which is the day that beer over 2.25% was legalised.

Rotten shark, according to Buzzfeed, is a national dish of Iceland while a hot dog is their most popular food of choice.

Iceland is the third-happiest nation in the world, according to a study, while their average winter temperature is two degrees Celsius – warmer than most people think.

Iceland has no public railways of any sort.

Any famous football moments?

With so many to choose from at Euro 2016 alone, the Icelandic thunderclap comes to mind.

They reached an unlikely quarter-final and few got tired of their celebrations with fans after each match, with players clapping in sync with the thousands of supporters in front of them.

Holding eventual champions Portugal to a 1-1 draw in the group stages will be remembered as a highlight, but the 2-1 win over England in Nice is the one which really caught the eye of fans around the world.

The football script writers may be adding another exciting chapter to the Icelandic football story in the near future.

Odds correct as of 1045 BST 29/05/18