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To what extent do you remember the biggest unexpected moments from FIFA World Cup qualifying history? Attempt this quiz to find out how many answers you remember.

FIFA World Cup Qualification Test

1. 1. During the year 1973, Poland keeper Jan Tomaszewski made a string of saves at Wembley Stadium to deny the hosts a place at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He had been labeled 'a circus clown with gloves' by which England manager?

   • Alf Ramsey
   • Brian Clough
   • Manager Don Revie
   • Coach Ron Greenwood
   Show Answer

2. Question 2. France's biggest FIFA World Cup disappointment happened in 1993, when they failed to make it after losing their last two matches at home to Israel and ...

   • Bulgaria
   • The Romania squad
   • Team Sweden
   • Luxembourg
   Display Solution

3. Question 3. Which person was Gerard Houllier hold responsible for the French team's elimination, describing him 'the killer' of their World Cup dreams?

   • Cantona
   • David Ginola
   • Bernard Lama
   • Didier Deschamps
   Display Solution

4. Question 4. During 2006, what two Africa teams achieved their sole World Cup appearances to date after denying the Senegalese team and the Nigerian side in qualifying?

   • Togo and Angola
   • Botswana and Zambia
   • Tanzania and Libya
   • Mali and Ethiopia
   Display Answer

5. Question 5. Italy, the four-time world champions, have failed to qualify for the finals since 2014. Which team eliminated them from the qualifying playoffs in 2022?

   • Sweden
   • Switzerland
   • Portugal
   • Macedonia
   Display Solution

6. Question 6. What nation qualified ahead of Mexico for the 1982 World Cup, only to suffer defeat in their opening game 10-1?

   • Canada
   • Cuba
   • El Salvador
   • The Honduran team
   Reveal Result

7. 7. The 1982 finals had a few unexpected qualifiers. What nation secured their sole FIFA World Cup showing to now with an 89th minute tying goal against New Zealand?

   • The Haitian team
   • The Iraqi team
   • Kuwait
   • United Arab Emirates
   Show Solution

8. 8. You will likely remember that a Henry's hand ball helped France qualify at the Republic of Ireland's cost in 2009. However which player was Henry assist to score?

   • Anelka
   • Player Benzema
   • William Gallas
   • Player Govou
   Display Solution

9. 9. The sole men's World Cup Argentina have attempted and failed to make it for occurred in 1970. Which team got their spot?

   • Brazil
   • Colombia
   • Peru
   • The Uruguayan team
   Display Result

10. Question 10. Román Torres' 88th minute decisive goal against Costa Rica secured a exciting World Cup 2018 spot for which side?

    • The Honduran team
    • Mexico
    • Panama
    • Uruguay
    Display Result

11. 11. What part was Peter Hore play in the Australian team's away goals loss to Iran in a qualifying playoff for the 1998 World Cup?

    • Known as a notorious prankster, Hore ran onto the field and broke a net with Australia ahead 3-1 on aggregate. The stop in play allowed Iran to get back into the match and score two last-minute scores.
    • Australian centre-back Hore scored own goal that sent Iran into the finals at Australia' cost.
    • Being Australian minister of foreign affairs, Hore stopped the team from travelling to Tehran, resulting in a 3-0 defeat they couldn't reverse in Melbourne city.
    • Peter Hore was a ex Australian assistant who joined the Iranian team's coaching staff prior to the playoff games.
    Display Answer

12. 12. The Australian team at last ended their long drought for a 2nd FIFA World Cup appearance by beating what team on penalties in 2005?

    • Iran
    • Japan
    • The Peruvian team
    • Uruguay
    Display Result

13. Question 13. The Dutch side whose 'total football' impressed the football world in 1974 nearly didn't qualify, saved by a debated offside call against ...

    • Belgium
    • The Czechoslovak team
    • England
    • Yugoslavia
    Reveal Result

14. Question 14. Back in 2009, who scored a late winning goal for the Argentine team against the Peruvian team in heavy rain to rescue their qualifying campaign?

    • Higuaín
    • Mascherano
    • Messi
    • Martín Palermo
    Display Result

15. 15. During the notorious 'San Marino game' in 1993, what number of goals did England need to beat San Marino by to have a chance of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup?

    • 3
    • Five
    • Seven goals
    • Ten
    Display Result

Check your knowledge of these memorable FIFA World Cup qualification stories and find out how many you knew.