The Slovenia national football team have appeared at the FIFA World Cup twice, in 2002 and 2010, being eliminated in the group stage on both occasions. They achieved their first and so far only victory at the World Cup in 2010, when they beat Algeria 1–0 with a goal by Robert Koren.
Overall record From 1930 to 1990, Slovenia did not compete at the World Cup as the country was part of Yugoslavia. Since their independence in 1991, Slovenia have qualified for two World Cups and was eliminated in the group stage on both occasions.
FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundSquad1930 to 1990Part of Part of 1994Did not enterDid not enter 1998 Did not qualify5th8017520 2002Group stage300327Squad2nd (PO)126602011 2006Did not qualify4th103341013 2010Group stage311133Squad2nd (PO)12723206 2014Did not qualify3rd105051411 20184th10433127 20224th104241312 20263rd604238 2030To be determinedTo be determined 2034Total6114510—782921289788
2002 FIFA World Cup
Slovenia qualified for their first World Cup in 2002 under the management of Srečko Katanec. They suffered a 3–1 defeat to Spain in their opening game. Katanec's decision to substitute midfielder Zlatko Zahovič led to an argument that ended with Zahovič being expelled from the team and sent home, and Katanec announced his intention to resign as manager after the tournament. Slovenia lost their second game 1–0 to South Africa, leaving them unable to qualify from the group. The side's final game ended in a 3–1 defeat to Paraguay.
Group B
2010 FIFA World Cup
Slovenia were the smallest country in terms of population to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Under the management of Matjaž Kek, the team qualified for the tournament by winning the two-legged play-off against Russia, despite losing the first leg. Slovenia beat Algeria 1–0 in their opening game, securing their first ever World Cup victory, and drew 2–2 with the United States. This meant that the side only needed a draw in their final group game against England to reach the knockout stage. However, a 1–0 loss to England and a United States victory over Algeria saw Slovenia finish third in the group and fail to advance.
Group C
Player records Most appearances Slovenia's 2010 squad did not feature a single player from the 2002 tournament, so no player had the chance to play more than three World Cup matches for Slovenia.
RankPlayerMatchesWorld Cups1Milenko Ačimovič32002Aleš Čeh32002Sebastjan Cimirotič32002Amir Karić32002Željko Milinovič32002Džoni Novak32002Milan Osterc32002Miran Pavlin32002Mladen Rudonja32002Valter Birsa32010Mišo Brečko32010Boštjan Cesar32010Zlatko Dedić32010Samir Handanović32010Bojan Jokić32010Andraž Kirm32010Robert Koren32010Zlatan Ljubijankić32010Milivoje Novaković32010Aleksandar Radosavljević32010Marko Šuler32010
Goalscorers Five Slovenian players each scored one goal at the FIFA World Cup.
RankPlayerGoalsWorld Cups1Milenko Ačimovič12002Sebastjan Cimirotič12002Valter Birsa12010Robert Koren12010Zlatan Ljubijankić12010
See also Slovenia at the UEFA European Championship
References