Friday 1 June 2018 16:11, UK
While some have been put off travelling to Russia, Iceland's famous supporters are planning to take their first ever World Cup by storm...
"We always say, if you show up in the stadium in blue and you're ready to chant for 90 minutes, you're part of the group!"
Tolfan, the Iceland supporters' association, may not know their exact number of members but, as vice president Sveinn Asgeirsson tells Sky Sports, everyone is invited to the party.
This summer they travel to Russia ready to celebrate their countrymen competing in the World Cup for the very first time.
While safety fears have discouraged large numbers of England fans from travelling to Russia, Asgeirsson is optimistic about the trip and insists his fellow supporters will set off in good spirits, excited by the chance to follow up their Euro 2016 French adventure.
"From what we've been told, the Russians are looking forward to meeting the Icelanders," said Asgeirsson. "I don't like this hooligan thing everyone is talking about. I'm hoping nobody will witness that.
That's the thing about the Iceland fans. Because it is so new to us, we're trying to make the most of it and have as much fun as we can!
"But we're not frightened about it. You saw in France, basically everyone liked us. I don't know why - perhaps because we were smiling and having a good time.
"That's the thing about the Iceland fans. Because it is so new to us, we're trying to make the most of it and have as much fun as we can."
Who can blame them? Iceland - a nation of just 330,000 people - had never qualified for a major competition until Euro 2016. And when they got there they took the tournament by storm - on the pitch and off it.
While the supporters and their Viking chants went viral, their players pulled off a string of shocks, holding off Portugal and Hungary before beating Austria to progress to the knockout phase, where they embarrassed England in the last-16. It was some summer.
But remarkably, Iceland have been able to sustain that momentum. Influential Lars Lagerback has since left the coaching staff but his former co-manager, Heimir Hallgrimsson, now in sole charge, has maintained the standards.
Iceland won their qualifying group for Russia 2018, finishing ahead of Croatia, Ukraine, Turkey, Finland and Kosovo. Now drawn with Argentina, Croatia and Nigeria in Group D at the World Cup, their fans are relishing the prospect of more upsets.
"Everything is possible," said Asgeirsson. "When we saw our qualifying group, it was a strong one. But we won it - as crazy as that sounds. And if we have our best squad in Russia, anything is possible.
"It's quite strange - our first game for our first major tournament was against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best players in the world. And now our first game in our first World Cup is against Argentina and Lionel Messi, the other best player in the world.
"I remember Ronaldo was complaining about how rough the Iceland guys were playing and that they weren't playing football at all. But, I mean, he's played against teams like Stoke. I don't know what he was complaining about.
"I think we'll play a similar way against Argentina. I know Messi is playing, but he's only one man - and it's eleven against eleven. It is going to be fun."
Asgeirsson will be there in Moscow for the match up with Messi and co, before flying back to Iceland to take in the remaining group games in his homeland. Having spent all of Iceland's Euro 2016 campaign in France, he is excited by sharing the World Cup experience with others in Iceland.
"Icelanders kind of go nuts over everything. If we think we're going to do great in Eurovision, nobody is out driving, everyone is watching," he said. "From my understanding, for the Euros, it was crazy. It was amazing to see the togetherness the Icelanders had for the national team.
"This year, because there were so many people who weren't able to go to Russia because it is expensive and they didn't get tickets, I think there will be a lot of places here in Iceland where you can meet up with friends, stay outside and watch the game. It's going to be a similar atmosphere as it was in the Euros. I can't wait to experience that."
Football fever has certainly gripped Iceland. While the idea of the national team winning on the biggest stages was once unimaginable, the accomplishments of this generation of players is now not only bringing together the country's supporters but also inspiring its children.
I was told when I was a kid that we would probably never see Iceland qualify for the World Cup or the Euros. It was a distant dream that you basically never think about.
"I think what the guys are doing is building up hopes for the young kids," said Asgeirsson. "I was told when I was a kid and practising football at the age of five, six and seven that we would probably never see Iceland qualify for the World Cup or the Euros.
"It was a distant dream that you basically never think about. Well, we've been to the Euros and now we're going to the World Cup, so those coaches back in the day had it wrong."
Asgeirsson puts Iceland's recent upturn in fortunes down to two factors: the bond the players have established since playing together in youth football and Lagerback's coaching methods, which revolutionised the country's attitude and approach.
Iceland and Lagerback will have a poignant reunion on June 2, when Lagerback brings his Norway team to Reykjavik for a pre-World Cup friendly in the 15,000-capacity national stadium.
"Of course we could talk about the indoor pitches we have here in Iceland now and what the government are doing to support kids that don't have that much money, to allow them to practise football," said Asgeirsson.
"But overall I think it is because the team have played such a long time together as U21s. They say it themselves, it is kind of a brotherhood.
When the FA signed Lagerback, it was one of the greatest things they've ever done for Icelandic football. He brought in so much professionalism - something we really needed.
"And I actually think when the FA signed Lagerback, it was one of the greatest things they've ever done for Icelandic football. He brought in so much professionalism - something we really needed.
"We're going to salute him in June. There are so many things to plan before Russia but we're going to try to do something special for Lagerback."
As for those plans in Russia - have the Iceland fans got a follow up to the Viking chant prepared to light up the World Cup?
"There's always a pressure on us to bring something new to the stadium. We're trying our best! The thing about the Viking chant was it was so simple. We were able to get 8,000 Icelanders doing it in a stadium in France.
"We were thinking up something last night - who knows if it will work. We'll try it in the two home matches in June. And if it works, then hopefully we'll see it in Russia as well - but it's kind of a secret right now!"
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