Iceland smallest nation to qualify for World Cup football

The previous smallest country to have reached the finals was Trinidad & Tobago, in 2006, with 1.3 million people.

Iceland with a population of just over 3.4 million has become the smallest country in the world to qualify for the football World Cup to be hosted by Russia next year.

Iceland beat Kosovo 2-0 last night with goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson and Johann Gudmundsson on either side of half-time as Iceland celebrated their maiden entry into next years finals in Russia.

Iceland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson told FIFA.com, "?After the EURO, 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 party contined in Iceland deep into the night with several football followers waking up with a headeache early morning in Reykjavik.

An emphatic 3-0 win in Turkey on Friday had sent Iceland top of the group for the final match, although they struggled to impose themselves against the group's bottom side.

Iceland had to wait half an hour for their first real chance when Jon Bodvarsson's far post header was easily saved by Samir Ujkani.

Milot Rashica gave Iceland a fright with a long-range shot which flew past Hannes Halldorsson's post but Iceland went ahead with their next attack and their first shot on target.