Iceland are without Ajax striker Kolbeinn Sigthorsson for their World Cup play-off second-leg match against Croatia on Tuesday.
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Sigthorsson suffered an ankle injury in the goalless first leg in Reykjakik on Friday.
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Sigthorsson had been receiving treatment to reduce the swelling but coach Lars Lagerback has now accepted he will be without his first-choice striker.
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"From the beginning I was afraid I would miss out on this match, and it is very disappointing to miss the most important game in the Icelandic football history," Sigthorsson told public broadcaster RUV.
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"But I will follow it with excitement and am sure that the guys will succeed. And I will be ready for Brazil next summer." Iceland deputy coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said it was "a big blow to lose the striker.
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"He is strong in the air and useful in the attack against the Croatian defence. But we have so far not had problems with our attacking game, and have players who can step in."
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Iceland held on for 40 minutes with 10 men in the first leg after defender Olafur Skulason was sent off.
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They are seeking to qualify for their first major tournament.
I see Croatia winning that game on their soil. Iceland will have to try again in the next four years.