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To what extent do you remember the biggest unexpected events from FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns? Attempt this test to see the number of answers you remember.

World Cup Qualification Test

1. Question 1. In 1973, Polish keeper Jan Tomaszewski made a string of stops at Wembley Stadium to stop the hosts a place at the 1974 World Cup. Tomaszewski had been called 'a clown in gloves' by which England manager?

   • Manager Alf Ramsey
   • Brian Clough
   • Don Revie the coach
   • Ron Greenwood manager
   Reveal Solution

2. Question 2. The French team's greatest FIFA World Cup disappointment happened in 1993, when they failed to make it after defeats in their last two games at home to the Israeli team and ...

   • Bulgaria
   • Romanian team
   • Sweden
   • The Luxembourg side
   Show Answer

3. Question 3. Which person did Gerard Houllier hold responsible for France's defeat, describing him 'the murderer' of their FIFA World Cup hopes?

   • Eric Cantona
   • David Ginola the player
   • Goalkeeper Bernard Lama
   • Didier Deschamps player
   Reveal Answer

4. 4. In 2006, which two African nations made their only FIFA World Cup showings to now after beating Senegal and Nigeria in qualification?

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

5. Question 5. The Italian team, the four-times world champions, have not managed to qualify for the World Cup since 2014. Who eliminated them from the playoffs in 2022?

   • The Swedish team
   • Switzerland
   • Portugal
   • The North Macedonian team
   Display Solution

6. Question 6. What side qualified in front of the Mexican team for the 1982 FIFA World Cup, just to lose their first game 10-1?

   • The Canadian team
   • The Cuban team
   • The El Salvador team
   • Honduras
   Reveal Result

7. 7. The 1982 finals had a few surprise qualifiers. What side secured their only FIFA World Cup showing to now with an 89th minute leveller against New Zealand?

   • Haiti
   • The Iraqi team
   • Kuwait
   • United Arab Emirates
   Display Result

8. Question 8. You'll probably remember that a Thierry Henry's handball aided France make it at the Republic of Ireland's expense in 2009. But which player was Henry assist to get the goal?

   • Player Anelka
   • Benzema
   • Player Gallas
   • Sidney Govou
   Show Solution

9. 9. The sole men World Cup the Argentine team have attempted and failed to qualify for came in 1970. Which team got their spot?

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

10. 10. Román Torres' late winning goal against the Costa Rican team won a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2018 spot for what side?

    • Honduras
    • Mexico
    • The Panamanian team
    • The Uruguayan team
    Reveal Solution

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

    • Famous as a notorious troublemaker, Hore went onto the field and broke a goal net with Australia ahead 3-1 on total. The break in play allowed Iran to recover into the game and get two last-minute scores.
    • Australian defender Hore scored an own goal that put the Iranian team through the World Cup at Australia' expense.
    • Being Australia minister of foreign affairs, Hore prevented the squad from going to Tehran, resulting in a 3-0 defeat they couldn't reverse in Melbourne city.
    • Peter Hore was a former Australian assistant who moved to the Iranian team's coaching staff prior to the playoff matches.
    Reveal Answer

12. 12. Australia at last ended their lengthy wait for a 2nd FIFA World Cup participation by defeating what nation on penalty kicks in 2005?

    • Iran
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • The Uruguayan team
    Reveal Result

13. Question 13. The Netherlands team whose 'total football' amazed the football world in 1974 almost did not make it, rescued by a disputed offside flag against ...

    • The Belgian team
    • The Czechoslovak team
    • England
    • The Yugoslav team
    Reveal Result

14. Question 14. Returning in 2009, which player got a late winning goal for the Argentine team against the Peruvian team in driving rainfall to revive their qualification bid?

    • Gonzalo Higuaín
    • Player Mascherano
    • Messi
    • Player Palermo
    Show Solution

15. 15. During the famous 'Gualtieri match' in 1993, what number of goals did England need to defeat San Marino by to have a opportunity of qualifying for the World Cup?

    • 3
    • Five
    • 7
    • Ten
    Display Solution

Challenge your own recall of these memorable FIFA World Cup qualification moments and find out the number you knew.