World Cup 2018: A comprehensive look at Group D

Iceland

Iceland's freak run at the Euros has made them into a household name overnight

Look away England fans, because this is going to bring back some painful memories.

Iceland rose to prominence with their upset win over England in the Euro 2016 and kept that place in people's hearts with the Viking clap, and a first-time appearance in the World Cup is just the icing on that cake.

Surprisingly, Iceland qualified as the toppers from their qualification group ahead of the likes of Croatia and Turkey. Unlike what most people believe, Iceland are no pushovers and at the same time, they won't be winning the World Cup.

What we will be getting is three entertaining games and the constant reminder of how 10-20% of Iceland's population is there watching the WC. But the logistics of traveling from their home country to Russia is harder than to France, so not a lot of Vikings is expected this time around.

Coach: Heimir Hallgrimsson

Hallgrimsson is certainly the most interesting manager to be at the WC. He has managed several women's teams, before serving as an assistant to the coach of the National team. While he was the assistant to then-manager Lagerback, Iceland qualified for the 2014 WC playoffs, losing out to Croatia.

Shortly after that, Heimir signed on as joint-coach but took complete control over the team after the success of the Euros. Amidst all this, he worked as a part-time dentist in his village and only now has he let go of that profession. There's a man who won't be bogged down by pressure anytime soon.

Iceland's squad for the World Cup

Hanes Halldorsson is the keeper most likely to start in goal for the Icelanders, despite Schram being the only player on the team whose name doesn't end with -son. Iceland play a 4-4-2 at times but switching to a more effective 4-2-3-1 when necessary.

A backline of Saevarsson, Sigurdsson, Magnusson, and Arnason is most likely to be employed, with Skluason fighting it out with Magnusson for a spot as the full-back. Magnusson has made the spot his own in recent times, and he is capable of long runs while also being an astute defender.

The midfield will see Everton's Gylfi Sigurdsson playing as the No.10 behind the striker(s), a role he is best suited for. Assisting him will be the captain, Aron Gunnarsson and those famous long throws of his.

It was one of the key tools for Iceland during their Euros, as they use their physicality and strength to get on the end of his dangerous balls and catch the opposition by surprise.

Burnley's Gudmundsson had one of the best impacts in the PL this season, and he will be Iceland's wild card this time around. Finnbogason and Bodvarson are the two strikers in the team, with the former scoring 3 goals during the qualifiers.

Iceland were a largely defensive team during the Euros, but whether that will work during the WC against teams that like to go on the attack is not certain. Iceland might try to change their tactics as well, but as things stand now, they are not notorious for attacking.

The Burnley playmaker is coming on the back of an excellent performance in Burnley's miracle season

Player to watch out for: Johann Berg Gudmundsson

Although Sigurdsson is whom most people know, Gudmundsson is in fantastic form, and enough to be mentioned. Playing for a side as defensive as Burnley, he managed 2 goals and 8 assists this season - and that is pretty much how Iceland play as well.

His long balls from midfield are absolutely lethal, and he also occasionally pops into the box on set-pieces.