Test Your Memory of FIFA World Cup Qualification Shocks and Thrills

How well can you recall the greatest shocking moments from FIFA World Cup qualifying matches? Take this test to find out how many answers you recall.

World Cup Qualification Challenge

1. 1. During the year 1973, Polish goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski made a number of saves at Wembley to deny the hosts a spot at the 1974 World Cup. He had been labeled 'a circus clown with gloves' by which English coach?

   • Alf Ramsey
   • Coach Brian Clough
   • Manager Don Revie
   • Ron Greenwood manager
   Display Result

2. Question 2. France's biggest FIFA World Cup embarrassment came in 1993, when they failed to make it after defeats in their final two games at home to Israel and ...

   • Team Bulgaria
   • The Romania squad
   • Team Sweden
   • Luxembourg
   Reveal Result

3. 3. Who did Gerard Houllier consider at fault for France's defeat, labeling him 'the assassin' of their World Cup dreams?

   • Cantona
   • Ginola
   • Bernard Lama
   • Deschamps
   Show Answer

4. 4. In 2006, what 2 African nations achieved their only World Cup appearances to date after beating the Senegalese team and Nigeria in qualification?

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

5. 5. The Italian team, the 4-time World Cup winners, have failed to make it for the finals since 2014. Which team eliminated them from the play-offs in 2022?

   • The Swedish team
   • Switzerland
   • Portugal
   • North Macedonia
   Reveal Result

6. Question 6. What nation qualified in front of Mexico for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, only to lose their first match 10-1?

   • Canada
   • Cuba
   • El Salvador
   • Honduras
   Show Solution

7. Question 7. The 1982 finals had a few unexpected participants. What side secured their sole World Cup appearance to this day with an 89th-minute tying goal against the New Zealand team?

   • Haiti
   • Iraq
   • Kuwait
   • United Arab Emirates
   Reveal Solution

8. 8. You'll probably remember that a Henry's hand ball assisted the French team make it at the Republic of Ireland's cost in 2009. However who did Henry set up to score?

   • Nicolas Anelka
   • Karim Benzema
   • Gallas
   • Govou
   Show Solution

9. Question 9. The only men's FIFA World Cup Argentina have attempted and failed to qualify for occurred in 1970. What nation took their place?

   • The Brazilian team
   • Colombia
   • Peru
   • Uruguay
   Display Answer

10. 10. Roman Torres' 88th-minute winning goal against Costa Rica secured a exciting World Cup 2018 berth for which nation?

    • Honduras
    • Mexico
    • Panama
    • Uruguay
    Show Solution

11. 11. Which role was Peter Hore have in the Australian team's away-goals defeat to Iran in a qualifying playoff for the 1998 FIFA World Cup?

    • Famous as a notorious joker, Hore ran onto the field and cut a goalpost net with the Socceroos ahead 3-1 on total. The break in the game allowed the Iranian team to get back into the match and score two late goals.
    • Australian defender Hore scored own goal that sent Iran through the World Cup at the Socceroos' expense.
    • Being Australian minister of foreign affairs, Hore stopped the squad from travelling to Tehran, leading to a 3-0 loss they could not overturn in Melbourne.
    • Hore was a ex Australia assistant who moved to Iran's coaching staff prior to the playoff matches.
    Display Answer

12. 12. Australia finally ended their lengthy drought for a second World Cup appearance by defeating what side on penalties in 2005?

    • The Iranian team
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • Uruguay
    Show Result

13. 13. The Netherlands team whose 'Total Football' impressed the world in 1974 almost did not qualify, saved by a disputed offside call against ...

    • Belgium
    • Czechoslovakia
    • The English team
    • Yugoslavia
    Show Result

14. 14. Returning in 2009, who got a last-minute decisive goal for Argentina against the Peruvian team in pouring rain to save their qualifying bid?

    • Gonzalo Higuaín
    • Javier Mascherano
    • Messi
    • Player Palermo
    Show Answer

15. Question 15. During the notorious 'Davide Gualtieri game' in 1993, how many goals was England require to beat the San Marino team by to have a opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup?

    • Three goals
    • Five goals
    • Seven goals
    • Ten
    Reveal Solution

Challenge your memory of these historic FIFA World Cup qualifying stories and discover how many you knew.