After Wales beat Liechtenstein 0-1 on Saturday, Tuesday night’s meeting with North Macedonia is a key clash in determining their World Cup qualification.

Jordan James scored the only goal as Wales laboured against the winless Liechtenstein, while Belgium’s 1-1 draw with Kazakhstan in Astana has opened up the slimmest of gaps to automatic qualification.

Let’s assess the permutations for Wales as the qualification proper comes to an end this week.

As things stand in Group J

Wales are level on points with Tuesday’s opponents North Macedonia, but have a worse goal difference after seven group games.

Belgium’s draw means that a Wales win and Red Devils defeat to Liechtenstein would see Craig Bellamy’s side top the group, but considering that the latter are yet to even win a point through seven games, that scenario is particularly unlikely.

Therefore, it leaves Tuesday’s match as a race for second, and therefore a seeded play off spot.

But Wales’ failure to close the goal difference gap means that a draw will also be enough for the visitors, whose goal difference is five better than that of Wales.

A win by six or more goals in Vaduz would have given Wales that advantage of going into the final game knowing a point would secure second spot.

Now, without goalscorer Jordan James and captain Ethan Ampadu who will both be suspended against North Macedonia after collecting their second bookings of the campaign, Wales have no option but to win.

Play-off spot confirmed in advance

By virtue of Wales’ strong showing in the Nations League last year, they already have an unseeded play-off spot guaranteed ahead of time.

However, failure against North Macedonia would see Wales draw in an away tie against teams as strong as Turkey, Italy, Poland, and Hungary. Not an ideal situation.

Conversely, if Wales beat North Macedonia and finish as runners-up, they would be guaranteed a home semi-final in the play-offs.

The hosts of the final will be decided by a draw.

Being seeded would see Wales potentially face the likes of Bosnia, Iceland, or Kosovo amongst others as the final placings are confirmed on Tuesday night.

The play-off draw is on Thursday.

Who will face North Macedonia for Wales?

As mentioned above, Wales are without key midfielders Ethan Ampadu and Jordan James through suspension, as well as Ben Davies, Kieffer Moore, and Ben Cabango through injury.

In Bellamy’s biggest test as Wales coach so far, he will have to rip up the rule book and pick a very different side to what Wales fans will have seen before for this one.

Predicted Wales XI

Karl Darlow

Neco Williams

Chris Mepham

Joe Rodon

Jay Dasilva

Josh Sheehan

David Brooks

Sorba Thomas

Harry Wilson

Daniel James

Mark Harris

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