After the surprising qualification of Cape Verde for the World Cup, it is fascinating to see that are the least populous nations which have ever participated within the event.
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The brand new entry of the African nation () instantly ranks 2nd on this record.
Iceland: 383,000 individuals
After having a fantastic European Championship in 2016, the place they have been stopped solely by France within the quarter-finals, additionally eliminating England, Iceland certified for the World Cup for the primary time in 2018.
With about 383,000 individuals on the island, Iceland is the least populous nation to have ever performed in a World Cup. The event ended rapidly for them: elimination within the group stage with one level, obtained towards Argentina.
Cape Verde: 491,000 individuals
The fairy story of Cape Verde, which has a deep colonial reference to Portugal and thus with Portuguese soccer (as advised within the Kura Tawila publication), certified yesterday for the USA 2026 World Cup.
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A part of the credit score goes to Rocha Livramento, a former Verona striker who scored 4 objectives within the qualifiers. A satisfaction additionally contemplating the opponent they left behind, particularly Cameroon, with whom they misplaced within the first leg (the one defeat within the group) and gained 1-0 within the return match.
Trinidad & Tobago: 1,328,000 individuals
Within the early 2000s, the Trinidad & Tobago Nationwide Workforce even reached the twenty fifth place within the FIFA Rating, qualifying for the 2006 World Cup due to a playoff towards Bahrain.
That workforce – eradicated within the group stage with 1 level – had some respectable gamers: like goalkeeper Hislop (Newcastle, West Ham, Portsmouth); defender Cox (Bournemouth, Burnley, Bolton); forwards Kenwyne Jones and Stern John (a profession between Championship and Premier).
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Then there was the star Dwight Yorke: former prime scorer for Man United and Aston Villa, who was on the finish of his profession in 2006, as he was enjoying for Sydney FC. To not neglect coach Leo Beenhakker who had managed Ajax, the Netherlands, and Actual Madrid within the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Northern Eire: 1,900,000 individuals
The workforce on this record with essentially the most participations is clearly Northern Eire: 3 World Cup appearances ranging from 1958, once they defeated Italy and Portugal, dropping solely within the quarter-finals towards France.
Northern Eire additionally performed within the 1982 version (out within the second spherical) and 1986, the place they have been eradicated within the first spherical. It is curious that the very best participant within the nation’s historical past: George Finest, by no means participated in a World Cup having ended his nationwide workforce profession in 1978.
Slovenia: 2,100,000 individuals
The Slovenian nationwide workforce has participated within the World Cup on two events, after the institution of their very own workforce in 1992, following the breakup from Yugoslavia.
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The debut got here in 2002, with a troublesome journey marked by three defeats towards Spain, South Africa, and Paraguay. Eight years later, in South Africa, Slovenia skilled a really completely different journey: they achieved their first World Cup victory towards Algeria and drew 2-2 with america, almost reaching a historic qualification for the spherical of 16, which slipped away within the decisive match towards England.
This text was translated into English by Synthetic Intelligence.
📸 Clive Brunskill – 2018 Getty Photos