Iceland World Cup History: 2018 Debut & Smallest Nation to Qualify
Quick answer: Iceland have 1 World Cup appearance (2018). They are the smallest nation by population ever to qualify. They have never won the World Cup.
Iceland, the smallest nation ever to reach a World Cup finals, made their debut in 2018 in Russia after a stunning run that included beating England at Euro 2016. They drew with Argentina in their World Cup opener before being eliminated in the group stage.
See the Iceland team page.
Iceland World Cup Record
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 1 (2018) |
| World Cup matches | 3 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Losses | 2 |
| Goals scored | 2 |
2018: World Cup Debut in Russia
| Match | Result |
|---|---|
| Argentina vs Iceland | 1-1 (Alfreð Finnbogason scored Iceland's first WC goal) |
| Nigeria vs Iceland | 2-0 |
| Iceland vs Croatia | 2-1 |
The draw with Argentina — with Lionel Messi missing a penalty — remains Iceland's greatest World Cup moment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Iceland world cup history — how many appearances?
One — 2018 in Russia.
Has Iceland ever won the World Cup?
No. Iceland have one World Cup appearance without a title.
Did Iceland make the World Cup?
Yes — Iceland qualified for their first and only World Cup in 2018, becoming the smallest nation ever to do so.