World Cup Qualification 2026: Wales-Northern Macedonia, the likely lineups

Wales and North Macedonia take on each other at 8:45 p.m. at Cardiff City Stadium to play for at least the second place in Group J, the last one to qualify for the 2026 World Cup playoffs. It is a high-tension match because the scenario changes dramatically depending on the outcome: in case of a draw, thanks to success in their Nations League group, North Macedonia would advance to the preliminary stage and Wales would end up in the group of Italy’s possible opponents. If, on the other hand, the Welsh were to win, it would be the Giallorossi who could find themselves in the Azzurri’s path.

Bellamy must do without the disqualified Ampadu and Jordan James. In the middle of the field, it will therefore be Daniel James and Nathan Broadhead’s turn to flank Thomas and Williams, with the quartet supporting Wilson, Brennan Johnson and Harris, the attack’s advanced reference.

The Italian team’s goal will be to play in the middle of the field.

On the Macedonian front, Milevski is expected to reintroduce Milovski, Bardhi and Elmas in the three-quarter, the trio tasked with acting behind Ristovski’s only point. The injured Ezgjan Alioski, Visar Musliu and Jani Atanasov will not be in the match.

Probable lineups

Wales (3-4-2-1): Darlow; Mepham, Rodon, Lawlor; Thomas, James, Broadhead, Williams; Wilson, Johnson; Harris. Coach: Bellamy.

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Northern Macedonia (4-2-3-1): Dimitrievski; Stojcevski, Velkovski, Zajkovkov, Ashkovski; Alimi, Ramadani; Milovski, Bardhi, Elmas; Ristovski. Coach: Milevski.

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