Wales handed massive World Cup play-off boost they hadn’t been expecting
Wales are set to face Bosnia and Herzegovina in semi-final play-offs of the World Cup Qualifiers, and Craig Bellamy’s nation have been handed a major advantage in their endeavours of reaching next summer’s tournament
Wales are set to play their 2026 World Cup qualifier play-off final against Italy or Northern Ireland on home soil if they beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. The Red Dragons finished second in Group J after eight matches, narrowly missing out on automatic qualification to next summer’s tournament to Belgium by two points.
And as a result, they are set to face Group H runners-up, Bosnia next year as they hope to stamp their tickets to North America through the World Cup play-offs. While Craig Bellamy knew his side were set to face Sergeij Barbarez’s nation at the Cardiff City Stadium, Wales have also been selected as the hosts for the play-off final, should they make it that far.
However, the nation will be up against stiff competition in either Italy or Northern Ireland in the final of the qualifiers, with both nations impressing throughout the group stages despite missing out on the top spots of their respective cohorts.
READ MORE: BREAKING: Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland discover World Cup play-off opponentsREAD MORE: World Cup 2026 draw LIVE as Northern Ireland draw Italy, Wales host Bosnia, teams could meet
While Thomas Tuchel’s England and Steve Clarke’s Scotland have already booked their place at next summer’s tournament to fight for the famed Jules Rimet Cup, Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland each have a chance to join them in North America.
While Wales face Bosnia and Northern Ireland take on Italy, the Republic of Ireland are set to face Czechia in March in their own semi-final play-off encounter. A win there will see the nation advance to face either Denmark or North Macedonia to secure their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Here are all of the potential World Cup qualifier play-off final matches:
- Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy or Northern Ireland
- Ukraine or Sweden vs Poland or Albania
- Slovakia or Kosovo vs Turkey or Romania
- Republic of Ireland or Czechia vs Denmark or North Macedonia
Speaking about the challenge ahead following Wales 7-1 thrashing of North Macedonia on Tuesday – in which Harry Wilson became the first player to score a hat-trick for the nation since Gareth Bale’s treble against Belarus in 2021 – Bellamy said: “There are tricky teams still left in it, but we’ll adapt.
“Big congratulations to Scotland as well. I love seeing the home nations do well, I really do. That’s given us more incentive. For me personally, I want to be joining them. So hopefully we can do that.”
More to follow…
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