Craig Bellamy’s side missed out on top spot in their qualifying group to Belgium but thrashed North Macedonia 7-1 on the last matchday to ensure they would get a lifeline in the ever-perilous play-offs.
The Dragons have home advantage for tonight’s play-off semi-final, facing Bosnia in the cauldron of the Cardiff City Stadium, and could be back there on Tuesday night to face either Italy or Northern Ireland in the decisive finale.
Against a Bosnian side spearheaded by veteran striker Edin Dzeko, Wales will be hoping for a repeat of their 2022 heroics, when they navigated the play-offs to end a 64-year wait for World Cup qualification in Qatar.
Follow all the action from the Cardiff City Stadium live with our live blog below:
Ethan Ampadu on potential World Cup qualification: “It would be very special to qualify,” he said.
“I think everyone as a kid grows up getting excited for a World Cup and wanting to play there. To have lived through that moment of achieving it gives you that feeling to want to do it again.
“But also, when we got there, we didn’t play as well as we could have. So it’s about wanting to put that right and making sure we deliver the performances. But like I said, we have to make sure we get through Thursday first.”
Ethan Ampadu (left) (Getty Images)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 19:11
PHOTOS: Wales arrive at the Cardiff City StadiumFans await the Welsh team in the capital!
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 19:03
TEAM NEWS – Dzeko and Kolasinac start The visitors start with 40-year-old captain Edin Dzeko up front, with Sead Kolasinac (formerly of Arsenal) also in the starting XI.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Memic, Tahirovic, Bajraktarevic, Sunjic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
Subs: Hadzikic, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Radeljic, Celik, Basic, Gigovic, Hadziahmetovic, Bazdar, Tabakovic, Alajbegovic, Burnic.
Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:53
TEAM NEWS – Ampadu captainEthan Ampadu returns after suspension and replaces Josh Sheehan in midfield, with Jordan James replacing Liam Cullen from the line-up who beat North Macedonia in November.
Harry Wilson starts; Ampadu is skipper.
Wales: Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Lawlor, Dasilva; Ampadu, J. James; D. James, Brooks, Wilson, Johnson.
Subs: Ward, King, Cabango, Kpakio, Norrington-Davies, J. Colwill, Sheehan, Cullen, Thomas, Broadhead, Koumas, Harris.
Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:46
How can I watch Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina?In the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, the match will be broadcast live on BBC One Wales, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
Coverage starts at 7:10pm.
Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:33
Craig Bellamy on pressure of the play-offs”It’s just normal for this group of players. It’s ingrained in them,” said Bellamy.
“It’s not for us to ride the rollercoaster. Everyone in these play-offs wants to get to the World Cup. We completely understand that and our fans will play a big part.
“Their experience in these games will play a big part, but us as coaching staff and the players, we have to be able to separate ourselves at times from it.
“We feed off it when we need to, because there will be moments where we definitely will, but let’s be clear, be calm.”
Wales manager Bellamy (PA Wire)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:25
QUICK LOOK: Bosnia and Herzegovina They are ranked 71st in the world (36 places below Wales). Edin Dzeko, with 146 caps and 72 goals in his back pocket, is their captain, aged 40.
Their most recent fixture was a 1-1 draw in Vienna in November, when an away win would have seen the Bosnians qualify. Austria equalised with 13 minutes to go, sealing their place in the US.
Edin Dzeko is Bosnia and Herzegovina’s record scorer and appearance holder (Tim Goode/PA) (PA Archive)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:17
VIDEO: How Parrott’s Ireland are taking the mentality and momentum of Budapest to Prague and maybe the World CupElsewhere tonight, the Republic of Ireland travel to the Czech Republic tonight in their play-off semi-final, with the winner hosting Denmark or North Macedonia on Tuesday.
Here’s our Chief Football Writer Miguel Delaney with a video preview of tonight’s clash, as the Irish hunt another memorable away-day.
How Parrott’s Ireland are taking the mentality and momentum of Budapest to Prague and maybe the World CupKieran Jackson26 March 2026 18:08
Wales’ Ethan Ampadu on importance of home fans: “It can drag us over the line. That was shown in the last play-offs when we got to the World Cup,” he said.
“We know games are going to be difficult, and the fans are the 12th man. No matter what happens, they’re right behind us. It gives you confidence – you might run that little bit further without even thinking about it because they push you on.
“It’s so exciting to play in front of the Red Wall. A lot of people know that. So for us, having that home advantage is massive – but it’s only massive if we use it and take advantage of it.”
Ethan Ampadu (PA Wire)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 17:57
Who could Wales play in play-off final?Should Wales progress tonight, they will host either Italy or Northern Ireland (who face-off in Bergamo this evening) on Tuesday night at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Excruciatingly, the losers of both ties will also face off, in what would amount to a friendly nobody wants to play.
Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso (AP)Kieran Jackson26 March 2026 17:43
