Wales Face Bosnia-Herzegovina in World Cup Play-off

Wales and Bosnia-Herzegovina will compete at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday, 26 March for a place in a World Cup European qualifying play-off final.

The winners of the match will face either Italy or Northern Ireland at home on Tuesday, 31 March for a place at the finals in Canada, Mexico and United States this summer.

Wales are aiming to be at their second successive World Cup tournament, having reached Qatar in 2022, where they failed to progress from the pool stage.

Sergej Barbarez’s Bosnia-Herzegovina are looking to reach the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014.

Bellamy’s Wales Aim to Surpass Dreams

Wales are 31st in the Fifa world rankings, 40 places above their visitors.

Wales are therefore favourites to continue dreaming of only a third ever finals appearance.

The match kicks off at 19:45 GMT and will be live on BBC One Wales and S4C along with full match commentary and reaction on BBC Sounds via Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

The broadcasts – other than S4C – will also be available on the BBC Sport website and app where you can follow blow-by-blow action with our live text commentary.

Italy host Northern Ireland at the same time with comprehensive BBC Sport coverage also available of that game.

Both games have to be decided on the night – so if they are level after 90 minutes they will go to extra time and penalties if needed.

Wales Team News

Wales will be without long-term skipper Aaron Ramsey who has not played for his country since September 2024. Full-back Connor Roberts also remains absent having not figured for Burnley this season through injury.

Head coach Craig Bellamy will also be without Tottenham defender Ben Davies, Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore and West Bromwich Albion centre-back Chris Mepham because of injury.

They are replaced in the 26-man squad by Wrexham goalkeeper Danny Ward, left-back Rhys Norrington Davies – on loan at Queens Park Rangers from Sheffield United – and Rangers forward Rabbi Matondo.

Bosnia-Herzegovina Squad Details

Barbarez’s 25-strong squad includes former Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac – currently with Italian Serie A side Atalanta – Amir Hadziahmetovic on loan at Championship club Hull City from Turkish side Besiktas, and former Manchester City, Roma and Inter Milan striker Edin Dzeko.

Double Premier League title winner Dzeko turned 40 last week and is currently playing in Bundesliga 2 for Schalke 04.

The squad also includes two uncapped players in goalkeeper Osman Hadzikic and RC Lens defender Nidal Celik.

Wales’ Home Advantage

Wales have won five of their last six home competitive matches.

Bosnia have taken part in four previous play-off campaigns for major tournaments (World Cup and Euros) and have never won a single match in seven attempts, drawing three and losing four.

For all the build-up and analysis, follow the football and Wales sections on the BBC Sport website.

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