Wales meet Bosnia & Herzegovina in a crunch play-off semi-final in their bid to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Victory would see Wales or Bosnia & Herzegovina play host to the winner of Italy’s play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in the Path A Play-Off Final on Tuesday 31 March.
Team News
Wales have no fresh injury concerns to report ahead of this match, with a full squad available for selection.
Bosnia & Herzegovina will be without defender, Dennis Hadzikadunic due to injury.
When is Kick-Off?
Wales host Bosnia & Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 26 March at 7:45pm GMT, live on BBC One Wales and on BBC Two across rest of the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Wales’ first meeting against Bosnia & Herzegovina in World Cup Qualifying, although they are winless in four previous meetings across all competitions (D2, L2).
- Bosnia & Herzegovina are unbeaten in their three previous visits to Wales in all competitions (W1, D2).
- Wales have lost two of their last three meetings against Bosnia by 2-0 results, whilst their other clash in that run ended goalless at home in October 2014.
- Wales have won three of their last four competitive home matches (W3, L1).
- Bosnia & Herzegovina have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches (W2, D2, L1).
Prediction
Having finished second in a very tight qualifying group, Wales will be glad to be at home for this tie given their poor record against Bosnia but they can take heart from their attacking play and the fact that their only defeats in their group were against Belgium.
Bosnia likewise finished second in their close qualifying group but did concede four less than goals than Wales, who in-turn scored four more goals than Bosnia, so I do expect Bosnia to mount a strong defensive display which could pose issues for Wales if can frustrate them and be clinical up front.
My instinct is that this will be a closely-fought match but with a lively home crowd expected, I fancy Wales to nick this in extra time.
Prediction: Wales 2-1 (AET) Bosnia & Herzegovina
Result: Wales 1-1 (AET) Bosnia & Herzegovina (Bosnia & Herzegovina win 4-2 on penalties)