Gylfi Sigurdsson included in Iceland World Cup squad

Even with an injury, Everton’s talisman Gylfi Sigurdsson was never not going to be on Iceland’s World Cup roster. Gylfi is their best and most famous player, and provided he can get fit, will lead his country into one of Russia’s most difficult groups - one that includes Argentina, Croatia, and Nigeria. After an impressive run into Euro 2016’s knockout rounds, this will be Iceland’s first World Cup.

Sigurdsson, 28, has not played for Everton since March 10, but still ended the season with a respectable 6 goals and 5 assists across all competitions. With Wayne Rooney on his way out of Goodison Park, Gylfi will be expected to bear the creative burden at Everton moving forward, just as he will for Iceland in the coming weeks.

Iceland open group play on June 16 against Lionel Messi and Argentina. Here is the complete roster:

Goalkeepers: Hannes Thor Halldorsson (Randers FC), Runar Alex Runarsson (FC Nordsjælland), Frederik Schram (FC Roskilde).

Defenders: Kari Arnason (Aberdeen), Ari Freyr Skulason (K.S.C. Lokeren Oost-Vlaanderen), Birkir Mar Saevarsson (Hammarby), Sverrir Ingi Ingason (FC Rostov), Hordur Magnusson (Bristol City), Holmar Orn Eyjolfsson (Maccabi Haifa), Ragnar Sigurdsson (FC Rostov).

Midfielders: Johann Berg Gudmundsson (Burnley), Birkir Bjarnason (Aston Villa), Arnor Ingvi Traustason (Malmo FF), Emil Hallfredsson (Udinese), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton), Olafur Ingi Skulason (Kardemir Karabukspor), Rurik Gislason (FC Nurnberg), Samuel Fridjonsson (Valerenga), Aron Gunnarsson (Cardiff City).

Forwards: Alfred Finnbogason (FC Augsburg), Bjorn Bergmann Sigurdarson (FC Rostov), Jon Dadi Bodvarsson (Reading), Albert Gudmundsson (PSV Eindhoven).