Iceland

By Jakob Gisik

Team: Iceland

Nickname: Strákarnir Okkar (Our Boys)

World Cup Appearances: 1 (2018)

FIFA World Ranking: 22

Coach: Heimir Hallgrímsson

Captain: Aron Gunnarsson

Player to Watch:  Gylfi Sigurdsson
Iceland’s key player and one to watch is Gylfi Sigurdsson. He is expected to play as an attacking midfielder, but can also perform the striker’s role if needed. Sigurdsson signed with Everton at the start of the 2017/18 season and was an integral part of the team’s attacking style of play, before injury ended his season prematurely. Sigurdsson was central to Iceland’s success at the Euros in 2016 and will again be vital to his team’s fortunes in Russia.

NowUC Predictor: 
Appearing at their first ever World Cup, Iceland will struggle to advance from a highly competitive Group D. However, they exceeded everyone’s expectations at the Euros in 2016, where they shocked England to reach the quarter-finals. If they play the way they did in that tournament, they could surprise the world for a second time.

The Iceland fans are among the most passionate in world football, and their famous pre-game ‘Viking Clap’ is sure to be a spectacle at this year’s World Cup. 

Here for their first #WorldCup and determined to make their mark.

Welcome to Russia, @footballiceland! ???????? pic.twitter.com/lUbKt22wkN

— FIFA World Cup ???? (@FIFAWorldCup) June 9, 2018