WHEN Johann Berg Gudmundsson was growing up, he never thought he would play in a World Cup. It is not a case of false modesty.

Growing up Icelandic conditioned his expectations. No country Iceland’s size had ever qualified.

As a youngster, Gudmundsson’s formative World Cup memories instead revolved around David Beckham’s red card against Argentina in 1998 and Ronaldinho’s remarkable winner to embarrass goalkeeper David Seaman in 2002.

He supported England at major tournaments. Two years ago, he helped eliminate them from one.

He was part of the Iceland side who reached the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Now a man whose international debut came in a draw with Azerbaijan is set to face Argentina in Iceland’s maiden World Cup game today.

“It’s a dream come true, especially when you’re from a nation that has 330,000 living there,” said the Burnley winger.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2018