Wales are gearing up for a high-stakes match against Bosnia-Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium. The fixture is a World Cup play-off semi-final. For the third successive campaign, Wales are two home wins away from qualifying for a major tournament.
Having taken the play-off route to the 2022 World Cup, they missed out on Euro 2024 at the final hurdle. Now, they host Bosnia-Herzegovina, with the winners playing at home against either Italy or Northern Ireland for a place in this summer’s showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Bellamy’s Confidence Ahead of Bosnia Clash
Craig Bellamy has won eight of his 16 games since taking charge of Wales in July 2024. Ahead of the match, Bellamy conveyed a sense of calm. “We’ve done everything we can,” he said. “You always feel a lot calmer as it goes along. The more you tick off something, the more you reassure yourself.”
Bellamy also highlighted the experience within the squad. “The players have been top and they’re used to this,” he added.
Wales’ Play-Off Experience
Wales have recent experience navigating play-offs, having successfully qualified for the last World Cup. That marked their first appearance in the finals for 64 years. The current 26-man squad includes 12 members of the matchday 23 from when Wales beat Ukraine 1-0 in their play-off final in June 2022.
Bellamy believes their experience will be vital against Bosnia. “It’s just normal for this group of players. It’s ingrained in them,” said Bellamy.
He also stressed the importance of remaining composed. “It’s not for us to ride the rollercoaster…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.”
Match Details
- Wales v Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cardiff City Stadium
- 2026 World Cup qualifying play-off semi-final
- Thursday, 26 March at 19:45 GMT
- Watch on BBC One. Listen on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 5 Live.
Wales know what they must do to keep their World Cup dream alive when they take on Bosnia in Cardiff. The consistency with which Wales are reaching these stages is a far cry from the barren half a century which preceded Euro 2016.