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How well do you remember the most shocking incidents from FIFA World Cup qualifying matches? Try this challenge to see the number of questions you know.

FIFA World Cup Qualification Test

1. Question 1. In the year 1973, Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski delivered a number of saves at Wembley Stadium to deny the hosts a spot at the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Tomaszewski had been described 'a gloved clown' by which English manager?

   • Manager Alf Ramsey
   • Brian Clough the manager
   • Don Revie
   • Coach Ron Greenwood
   Show Solution

2. 2. The French team's most embarrassing FIFA World Cup embarrassment happened in 1993, when they failed to qualify after defeats in their final two games at home to Israel and ...

   • Team Bulgaria
   • Romanian team
   • Team Sweden
   • Luxembourg team
   Show Solution

3. 3. Who did Gerard Houllier hold at fault for the French team's elimination, calling him 'the assassin' of their World Cup hopes?

   • Cantona
   • David Ginola
   • Lama
   • Deschamps
   Display Solution

4. 4. During 2006, which two African countries achieved their sole FIFA World Cup participations to date after beating the Senegalese team and Nigeria in qualifying?

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

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

   • Sweden
   • Switzerland
   • Portugal
   • The North Macedonian team
   Reveal Solution

6. Question 6. What nation qualified in front of Mexico for the 1982 World Cup, only to lose their first game ten to one?

   • Canada
   • Cuba
   • The El Salvador team
   • The Honduran team
   Reveal Result

7. 7. The 1982 edition World Cup had a number of surprise participants. Which nation booked their only FIFA World Cup participation to now with an 89th-minute leveller against the New Zealand team?

   • Haiti
   • The Iraqi team
   • The Kuwaiti team
   • UAE
   Show Solution

8. 8. You'll probably remember that a Thierry Henry's handball assisted the French team qualify at the Ireland's cost in 2009. But who did Henry set up to get the goal?

   • Player Anelka
   • Karim Benzema
   • Gallas
   • Sidney Govou
   Display Result

9. 9. The only men World Cup the Argentine team have tried and not managed to qualify for came in 1970. What team took their berth?

   • Brazil
   • Colombia
   • Peru
   • Uruguay
   Show Solution

10. Question 10. Román Torres' 88th-minute decisive goal against the Costa Rican team secured a thrilling World Cup 2018 berth for what team?

    • Honduras
    • Mexico
    • Panama
    • Uruguay
    Show Result

11. Question 11. Which role did Peter Hore play in the Australian team's away-goals loss to Iran in a qualifying playoff for the 1998 World Cup?

    • Known as a serial joker, Hore ran onto the field and cut a goal net with Australia ahead 3-1 on aggregate. The break in the game allowed the Iranian team to get back into the match and score two late goals.
    • Australian defender Hore scored an own goal that put Iran into the finals at the Socceroos' expense.
    • As Australia foreign minister, Hore prevented the squad from going to Tehran city, leading to a 3-0 defeat they could not overturn in Melbourne city.
    • Hore was a ex Australian assistant coach who moved to Iran's coaching staff prior to the play-off games.
    Reveal Answer

12. Question 12. The Australian team at last ended their long drought for a 2nd World Cup participation by beating which team on a shootout in 2005?

    • Iran
    • Japan
    • Peru
    • Uruguay
    Display Solution

13. 13. The Dutch side whose 'attacking football' impressed the football world in 1974 nearly didn't qualify, saved by a controversial linesman flag against ...

    • Belgium
    • The Czechoslovak team
    • The English team
    • The Yugoslav team
    Reveal Result

14. Question 14. Returning in 2009, who scored a final minute winner for the Argentine team against Peru in heavy rain to save their qualifying bid?

    • Higuaín
    • Player Mascherano
    • Player Messi
    • Martín Palermo
    Display Result

15. 15. In the notorious 'Davide Gualtieri game' in 1993, what number of scores did the English team require to defeat San Marino by to have a opportunity of making it for the FIFA World Cup?

    • Three
    • Five goals
    • Seven goals
    • Ten
    Show Answer

Challenge your recall of these famous FIFA World Cup qualification events and discover the number you answered correctly.