Iceland is a tiny nation in Europe. It is like most of the football players are known in the community. And despite having a tiny population, Iceland has produced some of the best modern-day footballers. And the clash between England and Iceland is not given as Iceland had beaten and held a side to give good compaction to the 1968 FIFA World Cup winners. So every time, one of the aspects that tells the winner of the clash is the England National Football Team Vs Iceland National Football Team Lineups, and more as this tells who is in better shape to deal with things.
England National Football Team Vs Iceland National Football Team Timeline
Iceland and England hold deep history in football. However, Island managed to make an impact in the 2010s towards the biggest levels. Football, which is known as soccer in North America, started in England. Hence, this European nation takes the most pride in the sport.
It was the 1966 final when England beat Germany to win their one and only major title till date. However, in recent times, England reached the final of Euros twice in 2021 and 2024. But on both times, they lost to follow European sides. It was Italy in 2021 and the young Spain side in 2024. This is the major problem of English fans with their star players that at the biggest levels of the sport, the team is not able to match the class like Spain, Italy, France and Germany do. In terms of good players after good players, they are not short of any of the major sides in football.
Now Iceland is a nation that gained capacity in football in the 2010s. It was the 2016 Euros when Iceland knocked England out of the event, winning the game by 2-1. It was a major upset in football history as at least England was able to beat Iceland. And now Iceland is a team that most of the people in Europe take seriously.
England National Football Team Vs Iceland National Football Team: Head-To-Head
The first time when England faced Iceland it was an international friendly where 1-1 draw took place. Then both sides met at a summer tournament match, England won the game 6-1 in 2004.
And the biggest game in the history between both sides happened at the UEFA European Championship 2016. Iceland beat England 2-1 and created history. It was a knockout game. However, then both teams met twice at the UEFA Nations League in Sep and Nov 2020. England won the first game by 1-0 and the second by 4-0.
However, on 07 June 2024, England and Iceland met at an international friendly. Here Iceland won the game 1-0.
So it is not always England has a better hand over Iceland. In fact, they have met just once at the Euros and it was Iceland who won the game. Now many players from Iceland play at the English Premier League clubs and beyond, and this is making even the young and upcoming players keep the same pace as they formed in the 2010s.
England National Football Team Vs Iceland National Football Team Lineups
England National Football Team Lineups:-
England has so many players at one spot that some of the players who left the side in the starting XI are also very good.
- Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford: Pickford plays for Everton and at the club level, there are sometimes he makes mistakes that can’t be seen as normal for a top goalkeeper. However, for The Three Lions, he has done a great job and made sure that Pickford can shine towards the bigger levels. Hence, he has been the first choice since 2016.
- Centre-Back John Stones: At Manchester City, Stones has won all the titles at the club level a player wishes. He has been playing in the team for a long time. This alone shows the value of Stones for the national team as he comes from the school of Pep Guardiola and in Pep’s team it is hard to stay for that many years and being an important part.
- Centre-Back Harry Maguire: At Manchester United, things have not gone great for Harry Maguire. However, for England, he has done much better. And now for the Red Devils too, Maguire is looking solid again. And it brings in the starting XI of England too.
- Right-Back Kyle Walker: He is the captain of Manchester City, which is the best football club in the world as per many experts. Walker is one of the best right-backs in the world. And now he is better in defensive duties too. In terms of pace and good in one-on-one, Walker has it all and this is something that makes him special.
- Left-Back Luke Shaw: There are injury problems with the former Southampton left-back, but Shaw is a key player for England in major competitions. His balls in the final third are very good, something that benefits players to score goals.
- Holding Midfielder Declan Rice: A leader at Arsenal and a player who is not just good as a holding midfielder, but Declan Rice works well as a box-to-box player too. This makes him even more productive.
- Central Midfielder Kobbie Mainoo: Kobbie is a young player who has gained his spot at Manchester United. And playing well has helped him to be a regular place for England. At a young age too, he looks a very complete player.
- Attacking Midfielder Jude Bellingham: Jude is the star at Real Madrid. He is the mega player who can change the game at any time. And which makes him one of the top five players in the world.
- Forward Bukayo Saka: He is a star for Arsenal who does not show ups and downs in form. Saka has the pace and ability to both score and create chances. It is never seen that Saka was not trying hard.
- Forward Phil Foden: A player who has done a great job for Manchester City, Phil Foden is a player who has everything in his arsenal. Plus he can play in multiple positions.
- Sticker Harry Kane: Harry Kane is one of the top two strikers in the world. He is a master in creating chances and no other striker creates as many chances as Kane does. In the final third, the world knows how good this player is.
Iceland National Football Team Lineups:-
Iceland is a very tiny nation, but the quality they bring in football is second to none. This makes it worth having the mega impact.
- Goalkeeper Hakan Valdimarsson: Hakan Valdimarsson is a player who is known for playing for Premier League club Brentford. And being a PL goalkeeper means they are in the top place.
- Centre-Back Sverir Ingi Ingason: Sverir is a player who plays for top European sides. Hence, being a Champions League player and beyond helps Ingason make things better towards the core level and bring experience too.
- Centre-Back Daniel Leó Grétarsson: A player that Blackpool fans know very well; Daniel has not played for many major teams. But for Iceland, he has been seen as a very stable player who has done a mega job. So this alone makes him stable.
- Right-Back Viktor Pálsson: He is an EFL Championship-level player. But for Iceland, this experience makes it very crucial to keep on making a good side. Plus, the pace of Viktor seems a lot.
- Left-Back Gudmundur Thórarinsson: Gudmundur is a known player in the Armenian Premier League. He is not a global name, but Iceland fans keep high hopes on his ability to be an all-around player.
- Midfielder Arnór Ingvi Traustason: A robust player, who knows how to score. This is something that shows a lot about the impact Arnór makes for Iceland.
- Midfielder Hakan Arnar Haraldsson: Hakan is a player who plays for French Ligue 1 club Lille. He is a creative player, who is very fast with the ball. Hence, Hakan covers a lot of paces for his team.
- Attacking Midfielder Arnór Sigurðsson: Arnór is a creative player who creates chances from the left-hand side. He is light with feet and makes the overall process better.
- Attacking Midfielder Willum Þór Willumsson: Willum is a strong player who a very known to player Birmingham City fans. Willum can make overall system look shining for his team with good ability to perform with good making.
- Forward Orri Óskarsson: In La Liga, Orri Óskarsson is a crucial player for Real Sociedad. He is fast and can score in later parts of the game in a good manner. This is how Orri makes things worth.
- Forward Albert Guðmundsson: He players ahead for Iceland. However for Serie A club Fiorentina, Albert is seen as an attacking midfielder. Playing ahead helps him have freedom for Iceland. And this helps them to be more creative in the final third.
The future for both sides
England National Football Team Vs Iceland National Football Team seem to have a stable side. But the goals are different for both. England is looking to win a silverware as they have good players towards the mega level. Reaching deep in major competitions tells the aim the Three Lions have.
For Iceland, now most of their players are playing at the top European league levels. This makes Iceland a decent side in Europe. And hence, they are taking good takes indeed.
FAQ’s
The Three Lions have come close many times. But yet they have not even this silverware.
Iceland shocked the world of football in 2016 as they knocked England out of the Euros.
In the 2010s, Iceland saw a rise in football and now they are a stable European side.
In 1966, England beat Germany to win the FIFA World Cup.
Also, Read about:- Spain National Football Team Vs Italy National Football Team Lineups