FIFA World Cup 2018™: How Iceland Overachieved

Summary

Iceland's historic qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Russia marked them as the smallest nation to ever reach the finals. With a population of just 335,000, Iceland's success is attributed to significant government investment in football infrastructure, professional coaching, and nurturing talent. Their journey, which began with a semi-pro league, saw them overcome challenges to achieve international recognition, showcasing the power of collective effort and national pride.

Takeaways

• ⚽ Iceland's qualification for the 2018 World Cup was a historic achievement as they became the smallest country ever to reach the finals.
• 🇮🇸 Iceland has a population of just 335,000, making it remarkable for such a small nation to qualify for the World Cup.
• 🥶 Iceland's cold winters led to the creation of seven indoor football halls and 200 small all-weather pitches, allowing year-round football for players.
• 👩‍🏫 Iceland heavily invested in coaching, with 500 UEFA B license coaches for children and government vouchers to support top-class coaching.
• 💼 Iceland's semi-professional league helped players develop before moving to competitive European leagues for further growth.
• 🎤 Goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson was a part-time filmmaker who directed Iceland's 2012 Eurovision entry, showing the unique backgrounds of the team.
• 🦷 Swedish coach Lars Lagerbäck and Icelandic assistant Heimir Hallgrímsson (a part-time dentist) built a team that was difficult to beat.
• 🎉 Iceland's Thunderclap celebration became famous globally, borrowing the idea from Scottish club Motherwell.
• 🇭🇷 Iceland faced Croatia in both the 2014 and 2018 qualification campaigns, finally defeating them to secure a spot in the 2018 World Cup.
• 🌍 Iceland's success was a reminder of the importance of international football and the pride a small nation can achieve through the right direction and investment.

Q & A

What made Iceland's qualification for the 2018 World Cup historic?

Iceland became the smallest country by population to ever qualify for a World Cup, with a population of just 335,000. This achievement was considered historic due to the country's size and the difficulty of competing with much larger nations.

When did Iceland's national football team first win a World Cup qualification match?

Iceland's national football team won their first World Cup qualification match in 1977, beating Northern Ireland 1-0.

What major investment did Iceland make in football starting in 2000?

Starting in 2000, Iceland built seven full-sized indoor football halls and over 200 small, all-weather pitches, allowing football to be played year-round. This was a key part of their development strategy for the sport.

How did the 2008 financial crisis affect Iceland's football investment?

Although the 2008 financial crisis nearly bankrupted Iceland, the government continued its investment in football infrastructure and coaching, which was critical to the success of the national team.

Who were some of the key players in Iceland's 2014 and 2018 World Cup qualification campaigns?

Key players included Gylfi Sigurðsson, Alfreð Finnbogason, Aron Gunnarsson, and the veteran Eiður Guðjohnsen. Goalkeeper Hannes Halldórsson also played a significant role, despite being the only player still active in Iceland's domestic league.

What role did coaching play in Iceland's football success?

Coaching played a critical role, with Sweden's Lars Lagerbäck and Iceland's Heimir Hallgrímsson leading the team. The development of a robust coaching system, including heavily subsidized coaching badges, also contributed to their success.

What was unique about Iceland's goalkeeper, Hannes Halldórsson?

Hannes Halldórsson was not only a professional footballer but also a part-time filmmaker. He directed Iceland's 2012 Eurovision Song Contest entry, which placed 20th.

What was the 'Thunderclap' celebration, and where did it originate?

The 'Thunderclap' celebration, which gained global attention during Iceland's Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 campaigns, was borrowed from Scottish club Motherwell, after Icelandic club Stjarnan saw it during a trip to Scotland for a Europa League qualifier.

How did Iceland's football team reach the World Cup playoffs in 2014?

Iceland reached the playoffs for the 2014 World Cup after finishing second in their group. They drew 0-0 in their first playoff match against Croatia in Reykjavik but lost the second leg 2-0 in Zagreb, ending their hopes of qualifying.

What was the significance of Iceland's victory against Kosovo in 2017?

Iceland's 2-0 victory against Kosovo in October 2017 secured their place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia, marking the first time the country had qualified for the World Cup.