Three Hopes, One Fear: Iceland at the 2018 World Cup

Iceland is the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup and are looking to make some waves in the groups stage.  Expect to see large men with beard and horned helmets and beautiful women with faces covered in paint to be the main focus of TV producers in the the stands.  On the field it will be a different matter.

HOPE 1:

To put up a good showing.  As the smallest country to ever qualify, Iceland wants to put up a good showing in the group stages and assert their right to be there.  Beating world power, Argentina would be a stretch but they could upset Croatia and Nigeria to push though to the final stages.  They are a team not to be underestimated.  They play with a cohesiveness of a squad much larger and have some good players playing in leagues all over the world. They could easily advance as second in their group.

HOPE 2:

Gylfi Sigurdsson will be healthy enough to live up to his star billing.  He certainly has the talent  but the Everton man has not played since March with a knee injury.  His presence at the Cup will be crucial for the team and all eyes are on his recovery.

HOPE 3:

To ignite support from fans of other nations.  Iceland promises to be everyone’s 2nd favorite team in this year’s  World Cup.  They were the one of the highlights of the European campaign and their chant is second to none.  Who does not want to see the viking clap echoing in stadiums throughout Russia? If they can put up a good showing against Argentina and pull off wins or draws against they other two countries then they will excite everyone around the world and could easily become the talk of the Cup.

FEARS:

Honestly, none.  Iceland has nothing to lose and that is what makes them dangerous.  They are the smallest nation in the Cup by far so they have the smallest expectations put upon them.  Nothing to fear except possibly being blown out in all the games and being sent home with their tails between their legs.  If the team plays the way they did when they beat England they will have nothing to be ashamed of.