Sport
5 surprise nations to qualify for the World Cup
The World Cup as one of the biggest competitions in all of sport and gives small nations a once in a lifetime opportunity to shine on the global stage. With a chance to shine alongside some of the biggest sporting icons of a generation, the players in these small teams get to live a dream that many of their peers won’t get to experience. Throughout history, shock qualifiers have created memorable legacies that are told around the world and revered in their homelands. But just who are some of the most surprise nations to qualify for the World Cup?
5 surprise nations to qualify for the World Cup
Iceland
Iceland have produced some top football stars over the years but to put a whole team together from a total population of less than 400,000 is quite the challenge. Nevertheless, The Strakarnir did just that though when they qualified for the 2018 World Cup by winning Group I of the European qualifiers edging out Croatia and Ukraine.
Their time in Russia wasn’t overly successful as they struggled in a group with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria. Their best result and only point in the group stages came through a 1-1 draw with Argentina in their opening game. It meant an early exit from the group but it still a noteworthy achievement for a country who have never had a domestic side compete in European club competitions either.
Trinidad & Tobago
The Caribbean is home to many passionate football nations although many have struggled to produce top-tier talent that could help them compete against more powerful nations. Whilst more established nations like Jamaica and Cuba have previously competed on the grandest stage, it was Trinidad & Tobago’s appearance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany that was a surprise for many.
The Soca Warriors reached the grandest stage by beating Bahrain in a playoff and the reward was a group containing England, Sweden and Paraguay. Trinidad and Tobago more than held their own in the group drawing with Sweden 0-0 in their opening game and only suffering slight losses to England and Paraguay. The 2006 team featured a who’s who of footballing names including Dwight Yorke and Stern John who are now legendary names in their homeland.
Senegal
Before the 21st century, Senegal were unknowns in the international football scene but the change of century dawned a new era for the African nation. After coming up as surprise runners-up in the 2002 African Cup of Nations, The Teranga Lions set off for Japan and Korea for their first-ever World Cup. It was here where they made history as they pulled off one of the biggest sporting shocks in history beating defending champions France 1-0 in their opening game. With draws against Denmark and Uruguay, Senegal reached the knockout stages.
Their fairytale run continued as they beat Sweden in the second round before getting knocked out by Turkey in the last eight. It was a shocking run that showcased Senegal’s potential as an African powerhouse and laid the foundations for the country’s continued rise into one of the region’s hottest sides for years to come.
Kuwait
In Asian football, the Arab states have always been a force of nature compared to their Eastern neighbours with the likes of Iran and Saudi Arabia dominating the way. Occasionally, smaller states have showed their potential and Kuwait was a side that did just that in 1982.
Their appearance was no walk in the park though as they were drawn in a group that contained European powerhouses England, France and Czechoslovakia. Despite battling hard and earning a 1-1 draw with Czechoslovakia, losses to both England and France meant they finished bottom of Group 4. A spirited effort that Kuwait have failed to replicate ever since.
North Korea
For a country so shrouded in controversy and mystery, it’s astonishing to think that North Korea have qualified for the World Cup – not once but twice. Their first appearance in 1966 saw them pull off a shock 1-0 win over Italy and draw with Chile to see them advance second in their group. Their strong performances earned them a spot in the last eight against Portugal where they put up a strong fight against Portugal losing 5-3 at full time.
Their next surprise appearance came in 2010 where they were drawn in a group with Brazil, Portugal and The Ivory Coast. It was a less successful time in South Africa though as they lost all their games and finished bottom of their group. However, it is a remarkable achievement for a country that often steals the headlines for all the wrong reasons.
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