Iceland's football story is weird. You’ve probably heard about the "Viking Clap" or how a tiny island nation of roughly 380,000 people keeps punching holes through the hulls of European giants. But while the men's team grabbed the headlines a few years back, the real consistency—the actual, sustained excellence—lives with the women. Iceland women's national football team players aren't just athletes; they are the backbone of a sporting culture that refuses to accept the math of its own small population.
They're currently sitting at 16th in the FIFA rankings as of late 2025, which is honestly staggering when you think about the resources of the countries surrounding them.
The Unstoppable Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir
If you want to understand this team, you start with the captain. Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir is basically a wall. She’s been anchoring the defense at Bayern Munich, and her stats for the 2025/2026 season are frankly a bit ridiculous for a center-back. We’re talking about a 92.8% pass completion rate in the Bundesliga. She doesn’t just kick the ball away; she starts the attack.
At 30 years old, she’s in that sweet spot where experience meets peak physical capability. With 140 caps under her belt, she’s chasing the legendary Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir’s record of 145. She’ll likely break it by the summer.
She's not just a defender. She has this knack for popping up in the box during corners, having already notched goals against heavyweights like Arsenal in the Champions League recently.
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The Speed of Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir
Then there’s Sveindís. If Glódís is the shield, Sveindís Jane Jónsdóttir is the spear.
She moved to Angel City FC in the NWSL in May 2025 after a massive stint at Wolfsburg. Watching her play is kind of stressful if you’re a defender. She’s 5'10", she’s faster than almost anyone on the pitch, and she has this long throw-in that functions like a corner kick. It’s a total cheat code.
In the 2025 season for Angel City, she logged over 1,000 minutes and maintained a defensive work rate that put her in the 99th percentile for interceptions and blocks among forwards. That’s the "Icelandic way"—even the star strikers are expected to tackle like they're playing in a muddy Sunday league game.
The Creative Engine: Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir
Midfield is where things get interesting. Karólína Lea Vilhjálmsdóttir, currently on loan at Inter Milan from Bayern, is the person who actually makes the "Stelpurnar okkar" (Our Girls) tick.
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She’s only 24 but has already racked up 15 international goals. That’s a high number for a midfielder. She has this vision that most players simply don't. While others see a crowded box, she sees a 3-inch gap for a through ball.
The Next Generation and the "Why"
It isn’t just about the stars, though. The depth is starting to show. You have players like:
- Fanney Inga Birkisdóttir: A 20-year-old goalkeeper at BK Häcken who is already challenging for the starting spot.
- Katla Tryggvadóttir: Only 20, now playing in Italy with Fiorentina.
- Sædís Rún Heiðarsdóttir: A 21-year-old defender at Vålerenga who looks like the heir apparent to the backline.
People often ask why Iceland is so good. Honestly, it’s the coaching and the "indoor halls." Iceland decided years ago that if they wanted to compete, they couldn't just play for four months a year when the grass wasn't frozen. They built massive indoor domes. Now, every kid in a remote fjord has access to a UEFA-B licensed coach and a warm pitch.
What’s Next for the Squad?
The team is currently navigating the UEFA Women’s Nations League and eyeing the next big tournament cycle. They’ve had some tough results recently—a 4-3 loss to Norway was a heartbreaker—but they also crushed Northern Ireland 3-0 in late 2025.
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They aren't just participating anymore. They expect to win.
When you watch Iceland women's national football team players, you're seeing the result of a twenty-year experiment in "what happens when a country actually invests in women's sports?" The answer is a team that consistently sits in the top 20 in the world, despite having fewer registered players than a single district in London or Berlin.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts:
- Watch the NWSL and Bundesliga: To see the core of this team, follow Angel City (Sveindís) and Bayern Munich (Glódís). Their club form is usually a direct preview of how Iceland will perform.
- Keep an Eye on Long Throws: In international play, Iceland uses Sveindís’s throw-ins as a primary set-piece tactic. It’s statistically one of their most dangerous "passes."
- Track the Cap Record: Watch the 2026 fixtures closely. Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir is on the verge of becoming the most-capped Icelandic player in history, a monumental milestone for the sport.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a transitional one, moving from the legends of the 2010s into a faster, more technical era. Whether they are playing in Reykjavik or Los Angeles, these players continue to prove that size is the least interesting thing about Icelandic football.