DENMARK

FIFA Ranking: 12th

How They Qualified

After failing to qualify for the 2014 tournament in Brazil, the Danes made it to Russia via the play-offs, following a 5-1 aggregative victory over the Republic of Ireland. Led by their Norwegian coach Age Hareide, the Scandinavians finished second to Poland in Group E, despite beating their main rivals 4-0 in Copenhagen.

Ultimately, a home defeat to Montenegro in October as well as two draws against Romania cost De Rød-Hvide the top spot and an automatic qualification place. Even so, this was a campaign where Denmark’s talisman, Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen, stepped up to the mark with 11 goals across the campaign. Werder Bremen midfielder Thomas Delaney also played a key part, starting 10 of Denmark’s 12 qualifiers, while Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel provided a safe pair of hands between the sticks.

Greatest World Cup Moment

A run to the quarter-finals in 1998. It remains Denmark’s most successful World Cup to date, as their team - which included Michael Laudrup and Peter Schmeichel - were eventually defeated 3-2 by Brazil in the last eight.

Key Player: Christian Eriksen

The set piece specialist doubled his overall goal tally for the national team in an incredibly prolific qualifying campaign. His hat-trick against Ireland in Dublin secured Demark’s place at the finals and the 25-year-old will be keen to make a name for himself at his maiden World Cup in Russia.