Wales must win their two play-off matches to secure their place at the World Cup in North America this summer.
And their all-or-nothing journey begins with a tough semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina later this week in Cardiff.
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Craig Bellamy’s side were unable to secure automatic qualification for the tournament after finishing second in their group.
So, it has meant they have had an agonising wait for the play-offs, being drawn against Bosnia, who also finished second in qualifying.
The winner of this tie will then take on the winner of the other play-off semi-final between Northern Ireland and Italy.
And Wales will be dreaming of now setting up a date with destiny on March 31, with a World Cup place on the line.
Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina: Date and where to watch
This World Cup play-off tie will take place on Thursday, March 26.
Kick-off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff is scheduled for 7:45pm.
The game will be broadcast free-to-air in the UK this week. Fans will be able to watch on BBC Two or BBC One Wales.
eSPORTY and eSPORTY.com will also keep you up to date with all the World Cup qualifying action.
Natalie Sawyer will have all the updates on the Kick Off on eSPORTY.
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To tune in to eSPORTY or eSPORTY 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the eSPORTY app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina: Squads
Wales will hope that Harry Wilson can continue his fine Premier League form on the international stage this week.
Meanwhile, other top-flight stars such as Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon and Neco Williams are going to have to step up.
Captain Aaron Ramsey has not been called up, with Ben Davies, Kieffer Moore and Chris Mepham missing out injured.
Goalkeepers
- Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Danny Ward (Wrexham), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (Everton)
Defenders
- Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Rhys Norrington-Davies (Queens Park Rangers – on loan from Sheffield United), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City)
Midfielders
- Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Leicester City – on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Rubin Colwill (Cardiff City)
Forwards
- Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Brennan Johnson (Crystal Palace), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Hull City – on loan from Liverpool), Dan James (Leeds United), Rabbi Matondo (Rangers)
As for Bosnia, their squad includes ex-Arsenal defender Sead Kolasinac and former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
Bosnia-Herzegovina squad: Nikola Vasilj, Martin Zlomislic, Osma Hadzikic, Sead Kolasinac, Dennis Hadziakadunic, Amar Dedic, Nikola Katic, Tarik Muharemovic, Nihad Mujakic, Stjepan Radeljic, Nidal Celik, Amir Hadziametovic, Benjamin Tahirovic, Armin Gigovic, Dzenis Burnic, Ivan Basic, Amar Memic, Ivan Sunjic, Edin Dzeko, Ermedin Demirovic, Esmir Bajraktarevic, Samed Bazdar, Haris Tabakovic, Kerim Alajbegovic, Jovo Lukic.
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Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina: What has been said?
Wales boss Bellamy discussed the threat of Dzeko and Bosnia after his side were drawn against them in the World Cup play-offs.
“The idea for us would be to keep Bosnia away from our box because that’s when he comes into his own,” he said.
“Watching Bosnia has been a decent watch so far.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Physically, they are very good, well-organised [and] good in both boxes. They don’t need too many chances to score.”
Defender Rhys Norrington-Davies plans to make up for lost time after his World Cup dream was wrecked by injury and he ended up watching the 2022 tournament from bed.
Norrington-Davies has worked his way into Bellamy’s squad after a serious hamstring injury left him fearing for his future.
The 26-year-old suffered nerve damage and did not play for 14 months, having picked up the injury in October 2022 – a month before the global showpiece kicked off in Qatar.
“Probably still to this day it hasn’t really sunk in,” said Norrington-Davies, who has spent this season on loan at QPR from Championship rivals Sheffield United.
“Obviously if I had gone, I would have had the memories and experiences of being out there with the group.
“But I was bedbound and watching the boys thinking, ‘Yeah, I should be there playing’.
“Of course, there were some serious conversations had (about the future) and question marks over my fitness.
“I won’t hide away from that fact, but I just kept on working and eventually it all came good.”
