Wales is set to continue its qualification campaign for the 2026 World Cup with a matchup against Liechtenstein on Friday at the Cardiff City Stadium. Having amassed four points from their initial two qualifiers, the Dragons currently share second place with North Macedonia, while Liechtenstein is still searching for its first points after suffering consecutive defeats.
Under the guidance of Craig Bellamy, who has experienced a solid start with four wins and four draws in his first eight matches as manager, Wales has shown promising form. The team successfully topped their Nations League group, collecting 12 points from six matches against tough opponents, including Turkey and Montenegro. Earlier this year, Wales kicked off its World Cup qualifying campaign strongly with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan, followed by a dramatic 1-1 draw with North Macedonia, where David Brooks secured a late equalizer.
Historically, Wales has had the upper hand against Liechtenstein, winning all three previous encounters, including 2-0 victories during the qualification round for the 2010 World Cup. As they prepare for this fixture, Wales will be aiming to retain their perfect record.
On the other side, Liechtenstein faces an uphill battle, having won just one of their last 20 qualifying matches. They started their campaign poorly, losing 3-0 to North Macedonia and 2-0 to Kazakhstan, further extending a streak of four consecutive international losses. The team has struggled offensively and has not scored in their last three meetings with Wales.
In terms of team news, Wales will be without key midfielder Aaron Ramsey due to injury and has seen Joe Allen retire, but will welcome back Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein will rely on experienced players like captain Nicolas Hasler, who is set to earn his 102nd cap.
With the momentum on their side, Wales is favored to secure a convincing win against Liechtenstein, which would not only boost their confidence but also set them up for a crucial upcoming match against Belgium.
As fans look forward to this encounter, it is a great opportunity for Wales to solidify their position in the qualifying standings and demonstrate their capabilities on the international stage.