FIFA World Cup 2018: Ten things to know about Iceland ahead of their clash against Lionel Messi's Argentina

Icelanders built indoor stadiums to sharpen their game in chilly December days when the country gets little sunlight for over 20 hours!

The small country housing slightly over 3 lakh people ranked 112 in 2010, but climbed all the way upto 22 in 2018 (File | AFP)

Iceland earned a shock draw against eventual champions Portugal in their first ever group match at a major tournament - the UEFA Euro Cup 2016. Their adventure peaked with an astonishing 2-1 win against England as Iceland came from a goal down to condemn Roy Hodgson's team to a humiliating last-16 exit.

The small country housing slightly over 3 lakh people ranked 112 in 2010, but climbed all the way up to 22 by 2018 in FIFA rankings, when they play international football's ultimate tournament. They built indoor stadiums to sharpen their game in chilly December days when the country gets little sunlight for over 20 hours!

Icelandic footballers are the tallest at the World Cup in Russia, with an average height of 1.85 meters (File | AP)

The country, once inhabited by the Vikings, has lot more mind-blowing facts attached to them. Here are ten interesting facts about the country as their football side prepares to take on Lionel Messi's Argentina in Moscow.

Iceland does not have an army, navy or air force.
There are no forests in Iceland.
Mosquitoes do not exist in Iceland.
Beer remained illegal in Iceland until 1989.
There is no railway system of any sort in Iceland.
Iceland has one of the lowest crime rates in the country.
There are no surnames or family names among the people of Iceland.
A volcanic eruption is likely to happen in Iceland once every four years on average.
Reykjavik, the capital city of Iceland has a penis stadium, where the genital organ of over 200 mammals, including a man's, are kept.
"Alþingi", the Icelandic parliament was founded in 930, making it one of the oldest democratic establishments in the world.