"Our goal is to progress from the group. If we do that, we've left behind two really good teams, and then we shouldn't fear anyone who we face after that," Hallgrimsson told journalists.

Iceland, who have qualified for the World Cup for the first time and are the smallest nation to achieve the feat, will take on two-time champions Argentina on Saturday, before also playing Nigeria and Croatia in their other two Group D matches.

Hallgrimsson added that he was ready for Iceland's defeat in the first match.

"We know that Iceland can have the best game of their lives tomorrow, but still lose against the fantastic team like Argentina, that's just the reality," he said.

 The 2018 FIFA World Cup kicked off on Thursday and will continue through July 15, with a total of 64 matches set to be played at 12 stadiums across 11 Russian cities.