What is the smallest country to play in the World Cup?
Iceland is the smallest nation to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup.
With a population of just 334,000 in 2018, Iceland shattered the record previously held by Trinidad and Tobago. This tiny island nation has fewer residents than the city of Leicester, England. Their success resulted from a massive long-term investment in indoor 'football houses' and high-level coaching for youth players. During the 2018 tournament in Russia, nearly 10% of the entire country's population traveled to support the team.
Nerd Mode
Iceland officially qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup on October 9, 2017, after defeating Kosovo 2-0 in Reykjavik. This achievement made them the first nation with a population under one million to reach the finals. They broke the previous record held by Trinidad and Tobago, who qualified in 2006 with a population of approximately 1.3 million people.The foundation for this success began in 2000 when the Football Association of Iceland (KSÍ) launched a strategic plan to build full-size indoor heated domes. By 2018, the country had 11 indoor arenas and over 200 artificial pitches, allowing year-round training despite sub-arctic winters. This infrastructure was paired with an elite coaching education program where nearly 70% of coaches hold a UEFA B license or higher.During their debut match in Moscow, Iceland famously held Lionel Messi's Argentina to a 1-1 draw. Statistics show that roughly 30,000 Icelandic fans traveled to Russia, representing nearly 10% of the nation's 334,252 citizens. This incredible ratio of fans to total population remains one of the highest in sporting history.
Verified Fact
FP-0009337 · Feb 21, 2026