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To what extent do you remember the most shocking events from FIFA World Cup qualification matches? Take this test to find out how many answers you recall.

FIFA World Cup Qualifying Test

1. Question 1. In the year 1973, Polish goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski delivered a series of blocks at Wembley to prevent the England a spot at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. He had been described 'a circus clown with gloves' by which English manager?

   • Manager Alf Ramsey
   • Brian Clough
   • Don Revie the coach
   • Ron Greenwood manager
   Show Answer

2. Question 2. The French team's biggest FIFA World Cup embarrassment occurred in 1993, when they did not manage to qualify after defeats in their final two matches at home to the Israeli team and ...

   • Bulgaria
   • Romanian team
   • Swedish team
   • Luxembourg team
   Display Answer

3. 3. Which person did Gerard Houllier consider responsible for the French team's loss, labeling him 'the killer' of their World Cup hopes?

   • Player Eric Cantona
   • David Ginola the player
   • Bernard Lama
   • Deschamps
   Reveal Result

4. 4. In 2006, what 2 Africa countries made their only FIFA World Cup participations to this day after denying Senegal and the Nigerian side in qualification?

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

5. 5. The Italian team, the four-time champions of the world, have failed to qualify for the World Cup since 2014. Who eliminated them from the play-offs in 2022?

   • The Swedish team
   • The Swiss team
   • Portugal
   • The North Macedonian team
   Reveal Result

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

   • The Canadian team
   • The Cuban team
   • The El Salvador team
   • The Honduran team
   Show Answer

7. 7. The 1982 edition finals had a few unexpected participants. Which team booked their sole FIFA World Cup participation to this day with an 89th minute tying goal against New Zealand?

   • Haiti
   • Iraq
   • Kuwait
   • United Arab Emirates
   Display Answer

8. Question 8. You'll probably recall that a Thierry Henry's hand ball aided France make it at the Ireland's expense in 2009. However which player was Henry assist to get the goal?

   • Anelka
   • Benzema
   • Player Gallas
   • Govou
   Display Solution

9. 9. The only men FIFA World Cup the Argentine team have attempted and failed to qualify for came in 1970. Which nation got their berth?

   • The Brazilian team
   • The Colombian team
   • The Peruvian team
   • Uruguay
   Display Result

10. Question 10. Román Torres' 88th-minute winner against the Costa Rican team won a exciting FIFA World Cup 2018 berth for which nation?

    • Honduras
    • Mexico
    • The Panamanian team
    • The Uruguayan team
    Display Result

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

    • Known as a serial prankster, Hore ran onto the pitch and damaged a goalpost net with Australia ahead 3-1 on total. The stop in play let Iran to get back into the match and score two late scores.
    • Australian defender Hore scored an own goal that put the Iranian team through the finals at Australia' cost.
    • As Australia foreign minister, Hore prevented the squad from travelling to Tehran, leading to a 3-0 loss they couldn't overturn in Melbourne.
    • Hore was a ex Australia assistant coach who moved to the Iranian team's coaching staff before the play-off matches.
    Display Answer

12. 12. The Australian team at last ended their lengthy drought for a 2nd FIFA World Cup showing by beating which side on penalties in 2005?

    • The Iranian team
    • Japan
    • The Peruvian team
    • Uruguay
    Reveal Answer

13. Question 13. The Netherlands team whose 'Total Football' shook the football world in 1974 almost didn't qualify, saved by a controversial offside flag against ...

    • Belgium
    • Czechoslovakia
    • The English team
    • Yugoslavia
    Display Answer

14. Question 14. Back in 2009, which player scored a final minute winner for Argentina against the Peruvian team in heavy rainfall to save their qualifying bid?

    • Player Higuaín
    • Player Mascherano
    • Lionel Messi
    • Martín Palermo
    Display Solution

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

    • 3
    • 5
    • Seven
    • Ten
    Reveal Answer

Test your own knowledge of these memorable World Cup qualifying stories and find out the number you answered correctly.