99.6% of Icelanders Watched Iceland’s World Cup Debut
With a population of about 335,000, Iceland is the least populated country to ever play at the World Cup. Their World Cup debut in 2018 was, of course, a very exciting event that nearly the whole nation tuned in to witness. The opening match against no less than football giant Argentina made it an event not to be missed. Opportunities to watch the match were plentiful in the capital city of Reykjavik, with large screens set up in public squares downtown and special events in museums for the occasion as well.
According to figures from the Icelandic Football Association, 99.6% of television viewers were watching the match in Iceland, leaving approximately 134 Icelanders not tuned in. The percentages, according to the Icelandic National Broadcast RUV, meant the match was the most watched sporting event in the nation’s history.
Iceland and Argentina finished in a 1-1 draw. Argentina’s Lionel Messi, regarded as one of the best players in the game, confessed to an injury being the reason he failed to secure a penalty shot during the match, which would have led to a win in the final minutes.
The Icelandic team made quite an impact, as the draw was Argentina’s first time to fail to win in their World Cup opening match since 1990, when they played against Cameroon. The last country to win in their World Cup debut was Senegal against France in 2002.
The Icelandic team played strategic defence. They failed to make a single shot in the second half of the match, while Argentina made 16 attempts on Iceland’s goal during that time. The goal scored by Iceland’s Alfreð Finnbogason was the country’s first ever at the Word Cup and the earliest score for a nation playing in their first World Cup (at 23 minutes in) since Nigeria’s goal against Bulgaria in 1994.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.