Iceland the smallest nation ever to qualify for World Cup

Iceland has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup sparking wild celebrations on the island of about 330,000 people.

Players went on stage in the capital Reykjavik as they celebrated beating Kosovo 2-0 and earning a spot at next year’s tournament in Russia.

They marked the occasion by joining thousands of supporters in performing a ‘thunderclap’, a Viking chant involving slow rhythmical hand clapping used by Icelandic fans.

It comes a year after the team stunned world football by beating England 2-1 to reach the quarter finals of the European Championships.

Last night, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker joked that the Three Lions’ second round defeat to the footballing minnows last summer no longer looks so humiliating. 

With just 330,000 people living on the island, Iceland surpass Trinidad and Tobago (1.3million population) as the smallest nation to reach international football’s most prestigious tournament. After making a big impression at Euro 2016, the Icelandic fans will look to do the same in Russia next year

Iceland's stars jump up and down on stage after beating Kosovo 2-0 to seal their first ever appearance at a World Cup

Iceland’s stars jump up and down on stage after beating Kosovo 2-0 to seal their first ever appearance at a World Cup

Thousands of fans descended on Ingolfstorg square in Reykjavik on Monday night to enjoy Iceland’s historic achievement

Johann Gudmundsson sealed the win with a second-half strike, ensuring Iceland will become the smallest country by population to compete at a World Cup when they travel to Russia next summer. Iceland has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup sparking wild celebrations on the island of about 330,000 people

Iceland has become the smallest nation ever to qualify for the World Cup sparking wild celebrations on the island of about 330,000 people

Last night, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker joked that the Three Lions' second round defeat to the footballing minnows last summer no longer looks so humiliating

Last night, Match of the Day host Gary Lineker joked that the Three Lions’ second round defeat to the footballing minnows last summer no longer looks so humiliating

The former England striker wrote: ‘Iceland have qualified for their first ever World Cup. They’re a bloody good side. Only losing 2-1 to them now looks a triumph…ish.’ 

Iceland’s players continued their celebrations deep into the night after sealing a historic place at next year’s World Cup. 

Everton midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who scored the opening goal in Reykjavik, joined his team-mates on stage in the city centre to enjoy the moment with thousands of fans.

Johann Gudmundsson sealed the win with a second-half strike, ensuring Iceland will become the smallest country by population to compete at a World Cup when they travel to Russia next summer. 

With just 330,000 people living on the island, Iceland surpass Trinidad and Tobago (1.3million population) as the smallest nation to reach international football’s most prestigious tournament.

After the game, fo fans descended on Ingolfstorg square to pay tribute to their heroes, who will be looking to build on last year’s impressive showing at the European Championship.

Flash back: Iceland stunned world football by beating England 2-1 to reach the quarter finals of the European Championships

Flash back: Iceland stunned world football by beating England 2-1 to reach the quarter finals of the European Championships

Iceland's players and coaching staff took to a stage in Reykjavik city centre last night to celebrate reaching the 2018 World Cup

Iceland’s players and coaching staff took to a stage in Reykjavik city centre last night to celebrate reaching the 2018 World Cup

Confetti is fired into the air as Iceland supporters, players and staff celebrate securing a place in Russia next year

Confetti is fired into the air as Iceland supporters, players and staff celebrate securing a place in Russia next year

Heimir Hallgrimsson's squad also performed their famous thunderclap just hours after seeing off Kosovo in their final qualifier

Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad also performed their famous thunderclap just hours after seeing off Kosovo in their final qualifier

Iceland's celebrations were also shown on a huge screen as supporters enjoyed a special moment with their heroes

Iceland’s celebrations were also shown on a huge screen as supporters enjoyed a special moment with their heroes

They watched on as Iceland’s players and staff celebrated reaching their first ever World Cup by singing and dancing on stage despite the bitterly cold weather in the country’s capital.

Led by captain Aaron Gunnarsson, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s men also joined their loyal supporters in a thunderclap – the celebration they made famous en route to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Sigurdsson took to Instagram to share a dressing room snap of him and his team-mates, captioning the photo ‘Road to Russia’ with a tick symbol alongside it.

Gunnarsson’s model wife Kris also posted on the social media site, uploading a photo of her wearing Iceland’s away shirt and holding a scarf along with the caption ‘We are going to Russia’. 

Everton star Gylfi Sigurdsson (bottom right) took to Instagram to share a dressing room snap after the famous victory

Everton star Gylfi Sigurdsson (bottom right) took to Instagram to share a dressing room snap after the famous victory

Everton midfielder Sigurdsson celebrates after his goal put Iceland into the lead against Kosovo on Monday night

Everton midfielder Sigurdsson celebrates after his goal put Iceland into the lead against Kosovo on Monday night

The £45million playmaker put Iceland in front on 40 minutes to help them on their way to World Cup qualification

The £45million playmaker put Iceland in front on 40 minutes to help them on their way to World Cup qualification

Iceland captain Gunnarsson leads the celebrations after the final whistle on a memorable night in Reykjavik

Iceland captain Gunnarsson leads the celebrations after the final whistle on a memorable night in Reykjavik

Speaking after sealing a place in Russia, boss Hallgrimsson told FIFA.com: ‘After the Euro (European Championship), as everyone knows, Iceland had a big, big party.

‘And you know how it is the day after a party – it’s not always easy to get up and start work again. We knew we faced a big challenge in that respect.

‘The hardest thing was to get going again after France. The first beer after a party is not the best.

‘And what’s more we were in a group contested between Croatia, Turkey, Ukraine and Finland, who are much better than their position in the group would have you believe. The success is not an end in itself but a long journey towards a final destination.’

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