Quiz Your Own Knowledge of World Cup Qualification Shocks and Drama

To what extent can you recall the most unexpected events from World Cup qualification campaigns? Attempt this challenge to find out how many facts you recall.

World Cup Qualification Challenge

1. Question 1. In the year 1973, Polish keeper Jan Tomaszewski made a number of saves at Wembley Stadium to stop the hosts a spot at the 1974 edition FIFA World Cup. He had been described 'a circus clown with gloves' by what English manager?

   • Sir Alf Ramsey
   • Coach Brian Clough
   • Don Revie
   • Ron Greenwood
   Display Solution

2. Question 2. France's most embarrassing FIFA World Cup embarrassment came in 1993, when they failed to qualify after losing their final two games at home to the Israeli team and ...

   • Team Bulgaria
   • The Romania squad
   • Team Sweden
   • Luxembourg
   Show Solution

3. Question 3. Which person did Gerard Houllier consider at fault for France's loss, describing him 'the murderer' of their FIFA World Cup hopes?

   • Cantona
   • Ginola
   • Bernard Lama
   • Didier Deschamps
   Show Solution

4. 4. During 2006, what 2 Africa nations achieved their sole FIFA World Cup showings to now after beating the Senegalese team and Nigeria in qualifying?

   • Togo and Angola
   • Botswana and Zambia
   • Libya with Tanzania
   • Ethiopia and Mali
   Display Solution

5. 5. The Italian team, the four-times champions of the world, have not managed to qualify for the finals since 2014. Who eliminated them from the playoffs in 2022?

   • Sweden
   • Switzerland
   • The Portuguese team
   • North Macedonia
   Display Solution

6. 6. What team made it ahead of the Mexican team for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, just to suffer defeat in their opening match 10-1?

   • Canada
   • Cuba
   • El Salvador
   • Honduras
   Reveal Answer

7. Question 7. The 1982 finals had a few unexpected qualifiers. What team secured their only World Cup participation to date with an 89th minute tying goal against the New Zealand team?

   • Haiti
   • Iraq
   • The Kuwaiti team
   • The UAE team
   Show Answer

8. 8. You will probably remember that a Henry's hand ball aided the French team make it at the Republic of Ireland's expense in 2009. However which player did Henry pass to to get the goal?

   • Nicolas Anelka
   • Player Benzema
   • Player Gallas
   • Sidney Govou
   Display Answer

9. 9. The only men's FIFA World Cup the Argentine team have attempted and not managed to qualify for was in 1970. Which side got their spot?

   • Brazil
   • Colombia
   • Peru
   • Uruguay
   Reveal Solution

10. Question 10. Roman Torres' late decisive goal against Costa Rica secured a exciting FIFA World Cup 2018 berth for what team?

    • The Honduran team
    • The Mexican team
    • Panama
    • The Uruguayan team
    Show Result

11. 11. Which part was Peter Hore have in Australia's away goals loss to the Iranian team in a qualifying playoff for the 1998 World Cup?

    • Known as a serial troublemaker, Hore went onto the field and damaged a goal net with Australia leading 3-1 on total. The stop in the game allowed the Iranian team to get back into the game and get two last-minute goals.
    • Australian centre-back Hore scored an own goal that sent the Iranian team into the finals at the Socceroos' cost.
    • Being Australian minister of foreign affairs, Hore prevented the squad from travelling to Tehran, leading to a 3-0 defeat they could not overturn in Melbourne.
    • Peter Hore was a former Australian assistant coach who joined the Iranian team's coaching staff before the playoff games.
    Display Solution

12. Question 12. The Australian team at last ended their long drought for a 2nd World Cup appearance by defeating which nation on a shootout in 2005?

    • Iran
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • Uruguay
    Reveal Solution

13. 13. The Dutch team whose 'total football' amazed the world in 1974 nearly didn't make it, saved by a controversial offside call against ...

    • Belgium
    • Czechoslovakia
    • England
    • Yugoslavia
    Show Answer

14. Question 14. Returning in 2009, which player got a final minute decisive goal for Argentina against Peru in pouring rainfall to revive their qualification bid?

    • Player Higuaín
    • Player Mascherano
    • Player Messi
    • Palermo
    Display Answer

15. 15. During the famous 'San Marino game' in 1993, how many goals was England need to defeat San Marino by to have a hope of qualifying for the World Cup?

    • 3
    • Five goals
    • Seven
    • 10
    Display Solution

Challenge your memory of these memorable FIFA World Cup qualifying stories and find out how many you knew.