A preview of North Macedonia vs Wales in World Cup qualifying as the Red Dragons make their first journey of the qualifying campaign. Wales come into the match ranked 29th in the world and beat Kazakhstan 3-1in the first game of this qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. They will take on North Macedonia, currently ranked 67th in the world who also won their opening game 3-0 against Liechtenstein.
Wales qualified for the 2022 World Cup, their first World Cup since 1958. Having finished behind Belgium in qualifying, they entered the playoff round, where they beat Austria 2-1 and then Ukraine 1-0. All three goals were scored by Gareth Bale, who has since retired. Having reached the knockout stages of the 2016 and 2020 Euros, Wales failed to qualify for the 2024 tournament, finishing third in qualifying behind Croatia and Turkey. They went to the playoffs based on their Nations League position but lost out on penalties to Poland.
Since becoming Wales manager, Craig Bellamy is undefeated. In seven games they have won four and drawn three. These results helped Wales win their Nations League group ahead of Turkey who they drew with home and away.
North Macedonia vs Wales Head-to-head statistics:
Wales 1-0 North Macedonia
North Macedonia 2-1 Wales
Matchup Statistics
- Wales manager Craig Bellamy played in both of Wales’ games against Macedonia. He assisted Simon Church in the 1-0 win and hit the post from a free-kick in their 2-1 defeat.
- Both of these games came in group A of the 2014 World Cup qualifying. Macedonia finished bottom of the group with seven points while Wales finished just above them with 10 points.
- Only England completed more passes in the first round of World Cup qualifying games than Wales who completed 629.
- Wales were the only team to concede a penalty in the opening round of World Cup qualifying in Europe.
Team Statistics
- Wales only conceded four goals in the Nations League, the fewest of any other team at League B level other than England who conceded three.
- Only Norway (five) scored more goals than these two teams in their opening World Cup qualifying game. Both these side scored three goals in their opening vicory.
- Macedonia created more big chances in the opening round of World Cup qualifying with seven. They only scored three.
Player Statistics
- Sorba Thomas made his 15th appearance for Wales against Kazakhstan and provided two assists, his first goal involvements for the national team.
- After going five games without a goal for Wales, Dan James scored the opener. In his last 12 games for Leeds and Wales he has now scored five goals and provided six assists.
- Ben Davies scored and assisted against Kazakhstan. This was his first time having multiple goal involvements in the same game. He now has three goals and six assists in his 93 games for Wales. In this game he overtook Neville Southall to become the fourth most capped Welsh player of all time.
- Bojan Miovski started the World Cup qualifying campaign with a goal and assist. The former Aberdeen striker was also Macedonia’s top goal scorer in the Nations League.