World Cup countdown: Welcome numbers 78 and 79 | OneFootball

Iceland and Panama are both newcomers to the World Cup this summer and with 79 days to go until the tournament kicks off in Russia, we’ve taken a closer look at the two teams.

At 15:00 on 16 June 2018, Iceland will become the 78th nation to participate at a World Cup when they take on Lionel Messi’s Argentina. Two days later, at 18:00, Panama will become the 79th nation when they face Belgium.

Iceland

The Nordic nation will be the smallest ever to be represented at the World Cup and by quite some distance too. Compared to Trinidad and Tobago’s 1.3 million inhabitants, Iceland’s population of just 335,000 seems almost tiny.

Nevertheless, the Icelanders should not be underestimated. Their performance at the 2016 European Championship – where they made it to the quarter-final after eliminating England – showed they are certainly no pushovers and their thrilling victory celebrations sent shockwaves across Europe.

And when the team returned from that tournament, 10 per cent of the country’s population were there to welcome them home, which tells you all you need to know about the football-mad Vikings.

When it came to World Cup qualification, Iceland were again fearless as they finished top of a group containing the likes of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey.

With stars such as Gylfi Sigurðsson und Alfreð Finnbogason among their ranks, Iceland were one of only three nations to qualify for Russia 2018 without using a single domestic-based player along the way. Sweden and Croatia were the other two.

“We have nothing to lose and will compete at the World Cup with the same mentality as at the Euros,” Sigurðsson has been quoted as saying in the run-up to the tournament.

In Russia, they must overcome Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D but you’d be unwise to bet against them making it to the knockout phase for a second major tournament running.

Panama

Roman Torres became a national hero when he secured Panama’s place at Russia 2018 with an 88th-minute winner against Costa Rica back in November.

That goal sparked pandemonium across Panama, as jubilant football fans poured onto the streets in celebration. So delighted were they that president Juan Carlos Varela even declared the next day a national holiday, and schools and businesses closed down for the day.

With an average age of 29.4, the Central Americans are the oldest team to qualify for Russia. The second-oldest is Iceland, with an average age of 29.0.

“The World Cup always seemed like a dream, like a fantasy, but I never gave up hope,” said Panama coach Hernán Darío Gómez following his side’s qualification.

In Group G, Panama are up against Belgium, Tunisia and England and probably only have an outside chance of making it out alive. But with the wind of their stunning qualification triumph still in their sails, the World Cup fairytale could well go on a little longer for little Panama.