Wales has received a significant boost in their quest for World Cup qualification, securing home advantage for both their semi-final and the potential final in Path A. The draw confirms that Craig Bellamy’s high-flying side will need only two victories in front of a fervent Cardiff crowd to seal their place in the 2026 tournament, dramatically shortening their route to the finals.
The first hurdle is a manageable home semi-final against Bosnia & Herzegovina. Following their confidence-boosting 7–1 thrashing of North Macedonia, the Welsh team is in peak form and heavily favored to progress. The psychological lift of playing both knockout matches at the Cardiff City Stadium is immense, giving them a tangible edge over any potential opponent.
The final fixture, should they progress, is projected to be a titanic clash against Italy. The four-time world champions must first defeat Northern Ireland away, but the expectation is that they will travel to Cardiff for the final. The opportunity for Wales to face an Italian team under immense pressure, with the full backing of a raucous home crowd, makes their path uniquely promising, despite the difficulty of the opponent.
Separately, the Republic of Ireland is focused on their Path D journey. The team faces a difficult away trip to the Czech Republic for their semi-final. However, Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrímsson is encouraged by the potential for a home final in Dublin against Denmark or North Macedonia, should they win in Prague. The impact of Troy Parrott’s recent five-goal haul has injected real belief into the squad.
With the semi-finals scheduled for March 26 and the finals five days later, the intensity is guaranteed. Wales’s favorable draw has positioned them as a strong contender to claim one of Europe’s four final qualifying spots, provided they can successfully manage the pressure of back-to-back home knockout games against high-caliber opposition.