Liam Duckstein
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Iceland host Bulgaria in the UEFA Nations League on Saturday 3 October 2026, and the predicted lineups for this one are shaped as much by who’s missing as by who’s been playing well. Three Icelandic absences – including a regular goalkeeper option – open up selection questions up and down Arnar Gunnlaugsson’s side, while Bulgaria’s expected XI looks more straightforward with no absentees recorded in the data. Here’s how both predicted line-ups are projected to shape up before kickoff.
Iceland Predicted XI
Iceland are projected to line up in a 4-4-2, the shape Arnar Gunnlaugsson prefers as head coach. It’s a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – with most of the group starting both of the matches used for this projection. Logi Tomasson and Gylfi Sigurðsson stand out as the two exceptions, each having started only one of the two matches used here rather than both, which leaves their place marginally less certain than the rest of the expected XI.
Iceland predicted XI: Hakon Valdimarsson; Daniel Leo Gretarsson, Victor Pálsson, Stefán Teitur Thórdarson, Logi Tomasson; Hákon Arnar Haraldsson, Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson, Mikael Ellertsson, Gylfi Sigurðsson; Orri Steinn Óskarsson, Andri Guðjohnsen
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 12 | Hakon Valdimarsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 3 | Daniel Leo Gretarsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 4 | Victor Pálsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 16 | Stefán Teitur Thórdarson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 2 | Logi Tomasson | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 7 | Hákon Arnar Haraldsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 8 | Ísak Bergmann Jóhannesson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 19 | Mikael Ellertsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 10 | Gylfi Sigurðsson | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 9 | Orri Steinn Óskarsson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| F | 22 | Andri Guðjohnsen | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Bulgaria Predicted XI
Bulgaria are expected to set up in a 4-2-3-1, which matches Aleksandar Dimitrov’s preferred formation as coach. Like their hosts, this is a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – with the majority of the group starting both of the two matches used in this projection. Stefan Velkov and Marin Plamenov·Petkov are the two names whose involvement looks slightly less locked in, having started just one of the two games used here.
Bulgaria predicted XI: Daniel Naumov; Kristian Dimitrov, Ivan Turitsov, Dimitar Velkovski, Stefan Velkov; Ilia Gruev, Zdravko Dimitrov, Marin Plamenov·Petkov, Kristiyan Stoyanov, Borislav Tsonev; Lukas Petkov
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 1 | Daniel Naumov | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 5 | Kristian Dimitrov | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 19 | Ivan Turitsov | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 21 | Dimitar Velkovski | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 13 | Stefan Velkov | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 4 | Ilia Gruev | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 10 | Zdravko Dimitrov | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 16 | Marin Plamenov·Petkov | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 22 | Kristiyan Stoyanov | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 7 | Borislav Tsonev | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| F | 20 | Lukas Petkov | 2/2 | 2/2 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Kristian Nokkvi Hlynsson and Elías Rafn Ólafsson are out injured for Iceland, a trio of absences that thins the defence, midfield and goalkeeping options all at once. With Elías Rafn Ólafsson unavailable, Rúnar Alex Rúnarsson looks the likeliest option to provide back-up at goalkeeper, while Jón Dagur Þórsteinsson and Albert Gudmundsson – both with a start apiece in the matches used here – are the bench options best placed to step into midfield or attack if called upon.
| Player | Pos | Status | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sverrir Ingi Ingason | D | injured | Cruciate Ligament Rupture |
| Kristian Nokkvi Hlynsson | M | injured | Unknown Injury |
| Elías Rafn Ólafsson | G | injured | Kidney problems |
For Bulgaria, no absentees are recorded in the data, so the squad Aleksandar Dimitrov has to pick from is, by the information available here, at full strength. Emil Tsenov, Asen Chandarov, Georgi Rusev and Teodor·Valentinov Ivanov all have a start each among the matches used and represent the main alternatives on the bench, should changes be made to the expected XI.
Where These Predictions Come From
Both predicted lineups here are built from each team’s last two matches, which is the only lineup data available in this instance, and recent matches are weighted more heavily than older ones when working out who is most likely to start. Any player confirmed injured or suspended has been removed from contention before the projection is built. Because only two matches have been used for each side, these are tentative team news projections rather than firm predictions, and they will change once the official team news is announced.
Read Also: Iceland vs Bulgaria Prediction: 03.10.2026 UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Preview
FAQ
What formation will Iceland vs Bulgaria be played in?
Iceland are projected to use a 4-4-2 and Bulgaria a 4-2-3-1, based on the formations each coach has preferred in their recent matches.
Who is predicted to start in goal for Iceland and Bulgaria?
Hakon Valdimarsson is expected to start in goal for Iceland, while Daniel Naumov is the predicted goalkeeper for Bulgaria.
Who is unavailable for Iceland vs Bulgaria?
Iceland are without Sverrir Ingi Ingason, Kristian Nokkvi Hlynsson and Elías Rafn Ólafsson through injury, while no absentees are recorded for Bulgaria in the data.
When does Iceland vs Bulgaria kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off on Saturday 3 October 2026.