At a press conference at the Icelandic Football Association (KSÍ) headquarters, Heimir Hallgrímsson announced the 23-player lineup that will represent Iceland in their first ever FIFA World Cup.

To the relief of many, star players Aron Einar Gunnarsson and Gylfi Sigurðsson’s names appeared on the roster along with 21 other great players. Many of the names on the roaster were the backbone of the team during the Euro 2016 tournament as well as some players who have been brought in after some impressive cameo appearances.

Although not everyone made the cut, and both Heimir and his assistant Helgi Kolviðsson said it was a very difficult decision to leave some players out of the lineup, they both “joyfully agreed” on the final selection.

Selected players were notified about an hour before the announcement whereas the others received a message in the morning.

The roaster for the 2018 World Cup is:

Goalkeepers
Hannes Þór Halldórsson, Randers
Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson, Nordsjælland
Frederik Schram, Roskilde

Defenders
Kári Árnason, Aberdeen
Ragnar Sigurðsson, Rostov
Birkir Már Sævarsson, Valur
Ari Freyr Skúlason, Lokeren
Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Rostov
Hörður Björgvin Magnússon, Bristol
Hólmar Örn Eyjólfsson, Levski Sofia
Samúel Kári Friðjónsson, Vålerenga

Midfielders
Gylfi Þór Sigurðsson, Everton
Aron Einar Gunnarsson, Cardiff
Jóhann Berg Guðmundsson, Burnley
Emil Hallfreðsson, Udinese
Birkir Bjarnason, Aston Villa
Arnór Ingvi Traustason, Malmö
Ólafur Ingi Skúlason, Karabukspor
Rúrik Gíslason, Sandhausen

Strikers
Alfreð Finnbogason, Augsburg
Jón Daði Böðvarsson, Reading
Björn Bergmann Sigurðarson, Rostov
Albert Guðmundsson, PSV

Noticeably, Iceland’s second-highest goalscorer of all time, Kolbeinn Sigþórsson’s name is excluded from the roaster. As he has been sidelined due to injury since late 2016 with no guarantee of recovery in time for Russia, it was decided he would be confined to the reserves list.  Albert Guðmundsson made the cut in his place with Heimir praising his strength, stamina, and flexibility.