Two games from the World Cup - but who will Wales face?

Wales are just two wins from the World Cup – and now just need to wait to see which sides stand in their way from a place in next summer's finals.

Thursday's play-off draw will determine who Wales must overcome for a second successive appearance on the biggest stage.

But, after thumping North Macedonia in their final group fixture, who Craig Bellamy's side will be up against in March's play-offs is at least a little clearer - with Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo and Republic of Ireland first up at home.

Wales were already assured of a place in the play-offs as they look to reach the finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

But the 7-1 win over North Macedonia ensured they finished as runners up in Group J.

That means they will be among the second seeds in pot two for March's play-offs that decide the final four European qualifiers.

And now they will face one of the sides from pot three in Cardiff.

Win that, and it's a winner takes all final against one of eight teams from either the top or bottom batch of seeds.

After Tuesday night's final group games across Europe, the pots for the play-off draw were all but confirmed – with just Fifa's rankings on Wednesday left to rubber stamp the standings.

But Wales' victory means they will definitely be in pot two among the second batch of seeds.

And that means they are certain to play a team from pot three at home in Cardiff for the one-off semi-final on 26 March 2026.

They look to include a Republic of Ireland side still revelling in their qualification for the play-offs after Troy Parrott's late heroics against Hungary.

Other potential opponents include Albania who finished 10 points behind England in Group K and have never qualified for the World Cup.

Kosovo – who Wales have never played – are the other pot three possibility, the nation aiming for their first major finals less than ten years on from their first ever qualification fixture as an independent nation having finished runners up in Group B behind Switzerland.

Bosnia had been heading for automatic qualification before a late goal for Austria in Vienna knocked them back into the play-offs, where they will be in pot three.

Wales (34) are higher than all four in the Fifa rankings (Albania 61, Bosnia 75, Kosovo 84, Republic of Ireland 62).

For Wales to reach their third World Cup finals, they would have to win the semi-final in Cardiff before facing a play-off final five days later on 31 March.

That will be against a winner from a pot one v pot four semi-final.

Whether that will game will be home or away will be decided by luck of the draw made in advance.

The pot four sides – made up of entrants from the Nations League – are Romania, Sweden, Northern Ireland and North Macedonia.

They will be away to a pot one side in the semi-finals, the four highest ranked runners up from the group stages: Italy, Denmark, Turkey and Ukraine.

The draw for the play-offs is being held on Thursday in Zurich from midday.

Wales will not only find out who they face in the semi-final, but also which pot one or pot four side will be awaiting them in a final as the paths for the four spots in the finals are drawn.

They will also find out on Thursday whether that final would be home or away, regardless of who it ends up being against.

No. None of Wales' players will be left nervy about picking up yellow card suspensions.

In normal qualifying, players miss a game for two bookings – but they are wiped at the end of the group stage.

That means the players on one yellow card – Ben Davies, Lewis Koumas, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Josh Sheehan, Neco Williams – won't be banned for the play-off final if they get a yellow in the semi.

However, if any player receives a straight red, that will still be carried forward.

Wales will find out in December who they could face at the finals themselves, should they make it through the play-offs.

The draw for the World Cup finals is being held Friday, 5 December at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, at 17:00 GMT (12:00 local time).

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