Joint-top of the early Group J table, North Macedonia and Wales will lock horns in Skopje on Tuesday night, both aiming to make a perfect start to World Cup 2026 qualifying.
While the hosts swept aside little Liechtenstein on the opening matchday, their Welsh rivals saw off Kazakhstan.
Match preview
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Wales ultimately made a successful start to their World Cup qualifying campaign, as they seek a second straight appearance at FIFA’s global finals – but it took a late strike from substitute Rabbi Matondo to settle their nerves.
Daniel James put the hosts ahead in the ninth minute at Cardiff City Stadium, but Kazakhstan later drew level from the spot: Connor Roberts handled a cross, and Karl Darlow was just unable to keep out the resulting penalty.
Captain Ben Davies headed home to restore the Dragons’ lead soon after half time, but only when Matondo netted his first international goal during stoppage time were the points finally made safe.
Unbeaten in seven games to date, new Cymru coach Craig Bellamy has certainly enjoyed a bright start to life as leader of his national side, guiding Wales to promotion in the UEFA Nations League late last year.
As a by-product of claiming top spot in their group, they effectively guaranteed at least a playoff for World Cup qualification, with more places than ever available at an expanded tournament.
To reach the 2026 finals automatically, they must beat Belgium and North Macedonia to top spot, with Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein – both ranked outside the world’s top 100 – unlikely to compete.
So, Bellamy’s boys will be aware that Tuesday’s trip to Skopje represents a significant juncture – even at this early stage of the journey.
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Ahead of their clash at Tose Proeski Arena, there have only been two previous meetings between these nations, with one home win apiece on the road to Brazil 2014.
More than a decade on, North Macedonia are still seeking their first World Cup appearance as an independent state, having missed out in the playoffs last time around.
Blagoja Milevski‘s side started their latest campaign with a 3-0 victory over Group J minnows Liechtenstein on Saturday, as they cruised to a sixth successive win.
In total control after Aleksandar Trajkovski put them in front on seven minutes, they continued in much the same vein that brought such a successful end to 2024.
Five straight wins – each without conceding – saw the Lynxes automatically promoted to the Nations League’s second tier with one game to spare, signalling their readiness to compete in World Cup qualifying.
Between now and November, Milevski’s men aim to break new ground by becoming their country’s first representatives on the global stage; so, back-to-back home games against Wales and Belgium could prove crucial.
Team News
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Wales came into their opening round of qualifiers with several absentees – most notably captain Aaron Ramsey. The Cardiff City star will miss the rest of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery.
Harry Wilson – who had scored in four of his last five international starts – is also sidelined this month, in addition to Ethan Ampadu, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Ipswich Town winger Wes Burns.
As a result, Craig Bellamy selected Sorba Thomas, Daniel James and David Brooks to support Brennan Johnson against Kazakhstan, and that attacking quartet could be retained. If fresh legs are required, Mark Harris or Rabbi Matondo might be promoted from the bench.
Meanwhile, North Macedonia named a 27-man squad, with their only new call-up being Luka Stankovski, who has scored three goals in 19 games for Serbian side Radnicki this season.
He was left on the bench as a familiar XI featured in Vaduz: skipper Enis Bardhi runs operations in midfield, Torino star Eljif Elmas adds a creative spark, while Girona striker Bojan Miovski leads the line alongside Aleksandar Trajkovski.
The latter pair both scored on Saturday and are set to continue up front; at the other end, goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski has recently kept six consecutive clean sheets – a new national record.
North Macedonia possible starting lineup:
Dimitrievski; Dimoski, Zajkov, Musliu, Alioski; Bardhi, Alimi; Churlinov, Elmas, Trajkovski; Miovski
Wales possible starting lineup:
Darlow; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Sheehan, Cullen; Thomas, Brooks, D. James; Johnson
We say: North Macedonia 1-1 Wales
Albeit against lower-ranked opponents, North Macedonia have been flying for several months now – and they boast several threats across the final third.
So, an improving Wales side will have to tread carefully away to one of their main Group J rivals, and they might end up being grateful to take one point.
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