There are two teams who have punched above their weight to make it to World Cup in Russia for the first time in history. The two teams have shown pure grit and passion and then some of their players have starred in order to steer their team to the biggest stage in world football.
The two teams to have made it to the World Cup for the first time are Iceland and Panama and we take a look at their journey to Russia and prospects in the tournament that lies ahead.
ICELAND
Iceland have been that team since the past couple of years. They have shown steady progression and perhaps, have been one of the most improved sides.
Currently ranked 22nd according to the FIFA world rankings, Iceland have reached their maiden World Cup after being a part of 14 qualifying campaigns and they did it in some style. Iceland topped their Group I of the qualifiers despite having teams like Croatia and Turkey along with with them.
Iceland finished the group with 22 points from 10 matches and beat Turkey in both legs, scoring five goals against them and conceding none. Against Croatia, they lost the away leg 2-0 but won the home leg 1-0. Apart from that they lost just one game and drew one across the two legs against the rest of the teams (Ukraine, Finland and Kosova)
Two years ago at the European Championship 2016, Iceland announced themselves to the world with hearty performances. Their Icelandic claps became iconic and their relationship with their fans began to be looked upon.
PANAMA
Panama are ranked 55th in the world at the moment and have made it to the 2018 FIFA World Cup after battling it out in 12 qualifying campaigns from CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football).
Apart from Panama, the ones that have qualified from their federation are Mexico and Costa Rica and with their qualification, they left regulars United States of American (USA) behind.
Unlike USA, who lost their final match 2-1 to the lowly Trinidad and Tobago, Panama beat Costa Rica 2-1 at home with an 88-minute winner from Roman Torres and booked their spot to Russia.
As Panama prepare for their first trip to a World Cup, they'll want to put up performances of the highest quality and make an impact. All the 2014 World Cup viewers remember how Bosnia and Herzegovina won hearts for their performances even though they making it past the group stage. Panama would perhaps want to achieve something similar or will wish for it to get better.
Panama are placed in Group E, alongside Belgium, England and Tunisia and have a tough road ahead of them. Belgium are absolute favourites from the group and despite England's dodgy record at the World Cup, they are most probably going through
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