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How much do you remember the biggest unexpected events from World Cup qualification matches? Try this quiz to find out how many answers you know.

FIFA World Cup Qualifying Quiz

1. Question 1. During 1973, Polish keeper Jan Tomaszewski made a string of saves at Wembley Stadium to deny the hosts a berth at the 1974 edition World Cup. Tomaszewski had been labeled 'a clown in gloves' by which English coach?

   • Manager Alf Ramsey
   • Brian Clough
   • Manager Don Revie
   • Ron Greenwood
   Show Result

2. Question 2. France's biggest World Cup embarrassment occurred in 1993, when they failed to make it after losing their last two games at home to Israel and ...

   • Bulgarian side
   • Romania
   • Team Sweden
   • Luxembourg
   Reveal Answer

3. Question 3. Which person was Gerard Houllier blame at fault for France's defeat, labeling him 'the killer' of their World Cup dreams?

   • Player Eric Cantona
   • David Ginola
   • Lama
   • Deschamps
   Reveal Result

4. 4. In 2006, what 2 Africa countries made their only FIFA World Cup appearances to this day after denying the Senegalese team and the Nigerian side in qualifying?

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

5. Question 5. Italy, the four-times champions of the world, have failed to make it for the finals since 2014. Which team knocked out them from the playoffs in 2022?

   • The Swedish team
   • Switzerland
   • The Portuguese team
   • The North Macedonian team
   Display Answer

6. 6. What team qualified ahead of the Mexican team for the 1982 World Cup, just to lose their opening match ten to one?

   • Canada
   • Cuba
   • El Salvador
   • Honduras
   Display Answer

7. Question 7. The 1982 World Cup had a number of unexpected participants. What nation booked their sole FIFA World Cup participation to date with an 89th minute tying goal against the New Zealand team?

   • The Haitian team
   • Iraq
   • Kuwait
   • United Arab Emirates
   Show Result

8. 8. You will likely recall that a Henry's handball aided the French team qualify at the Ireland's expense in 2009. But who was Henry pass to to get the goal?

   • Player Anelka
   • Benzema
   • William Gallas
   • Sidney Govou
   Reveal Result

9. Question 9. The only men's FIFA World Cup the Argentine team have attempted and not managed to make it for came in 1970. Which nation secured their berth?

   • The Brazilian team
   • Colombia
   • The Peruvian team
   • Uruguay
   Show Answer

10. 10. Roman Torres' 88th-minute winner against the Costa Rican team secured a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2018 place for what team?

    • Honduras
    • The Mexican team
    • The Panamanian team
    • The Uruguayan team
    Show Answer

11. 11. What part did Peter Hore play in Australia's away-goals defeat to Iran in a playoff for the 1998 FIFA World Cup?

    • Famous as a serial joker, Hore ran onto the field and damaged a net with the Socceroos leading 3-1 on total. The pause in the game let the Iranian team to recover into the game and score two last-minute scores.
    • Australian centre-back Hore scored own goal that put the Iranian team through the World Cup at the Socceroos' cost.
    • As Australia minister of foreign affairs, Hore prevented the team from going to Tehran, leading to a 3-0 defeat they could not overturn in Melbourne.
    • Hore was a ex Australia assistant coach who joined Iran's coaching staff before the play-off games.
    Display Answer

12. 12. The Australian team finally finished their long wait for a 2nd FIFA World Cup appearance by defeating what team on a shootout in 2005?

    • Iran
    • The Japanese team
    • The Peruvian team
    • Uruguay
    Show Solution

13. Question 13. The Netherlands side whose 'Total Football' amazed the football world in 1974 almost didn't make it, rescued by a debated linesman flag against ...

    • The Belgian team
    • The Czechoslovak team
    • England
    • Yugoslavia
    Reveal Solution

14. 14. Returning in 2009, who scored a last-minute winning goal for Argentina against Peru in pouring rain to revive their qualifying campaign?

    • Higuaín
    • Player Mascherano
    • Player Messi
    • Palermo
    Reveal Result

15. 15. In the famous 'San Marino game' in 1993, how many scores did the English team require to defeat San Marino by to have a chance of making it for the World Cup?

    • Three
    • 5
    • Seven
    • Ten
    Reveal Solution

Test your own memory of these historic World Cup qualification events and discover the number you knew.