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Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

By Kristofer McCormack

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /
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Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurdsson during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Group I football qualification match between Finland and Iceland in Tampere, Finland, on September 2, 2017. (Photo by Antti Yrjonen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Iceland’s Gylfi Sigurdsson during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Group I football qualification match between Finland and Iceland in Tampere, Finland, on September 2, 2017. (Photo by Antti Yrjonen/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Iceland: Gylfi Sigurdsson

It seemed everyone was supporting Iceland during the Euros (perhaps not England fans). Not only were the fans great, but the team performances were just as impressive. Having come out of a group with Austria eventual winners Portugal, they shocked England in the round of 16 before exiting to France in the quarterfinals.

Now the small island nation has proven their trip to France two years ago wasn’t a flash in the pan, having topped a qualifying group of Croatia, Ukraine and Turkey. As the smallest nation (by population) ever to compete in a World Cup, Iceland will need all their stars fit and ready for Russia, hence why the recent injury to Gylfi Sigurdsson will be such a concern.

Since his debut in 2010, Sigurdsson has been a vital cog in Iceland’s attacking unit. He provides quality service from set pieces and he connects the midfield and attack. He was an extremely important part of the Iceland side that qualified for Euro 2016, the nation’s first ever international tournament, scoring six goals on the way to France.

Despite his poor club form, the Everton midfielder has been crucial for his nation. Outside of the four goals he scored in qualifying, Sigurdsson also has over 50 caps for his country. That type of experience won’t be easy to replace for the World Cup’s smallest nation. Iceland find themselves in a tight group and should Sigurdsson be fit, ther’s no reason why Iceland can’t surprise a few spectators once more.

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