Sports
Wales v North Macedonia: Lineups, stats, preview, prediction
Wales v North Macedonia preview
With Belgium highly likely to take the direct qualification spot for the 2026 World Cup in European qualifying Group J, Wales and North Macedonia’s match is set to have consequences for the sides’ one-legged play-off semi-final in March.
Unless Belgium lose at home to a Liechtenstein side who have lost all seven of their qualifiers in the campaign, the two teams behind them – both of whom are guaranteed a play-off spot because of their Nations League performances – are vying for second place, which would ensure a home semi-final in Thursday’s draw.
The countries are level on points but North Macedonia start in second because of their five-goal superiority, meaning Wales can only leapfrog them with victory.
“I like the fact that we’ve got something on this game,” said Wales manager Craig Bellamy. “It’s a new experience for me because when I was playing [for Wales in qualifying], in those last three or four games [of campaigns] we had nothing to play for, so that’s nice.
“It’s always a big help playing at home, as it is in any sport. We know we need to win, but we have to be patient as well.
“North Macedonia do defend deep. They’re happy not to have possession but they counter-attack well.
“To finish second and have a home game is huge. Just from my experience of watching Wales over the last few years, you can see it’s a huge advantage.”
North Macedonia midfielder Luka Stankovski regards the trip to the Cardiff City Stadium as “the key match of the qualifiers”.
“I hope that this time it will not be similar to our game against Belgium,” said Stankovski, referencing the 0-0 draw away to the Red Devils on October 10, when North Macedonia went without an attempt on target and had 20% of possession.
“But that match was also part of our tactics and we managed to get a good result. Tactics are the task of the coach, and our task is to implement them on the pitch.
“I don’t think that everything depends on luck, although it is also a factor in today’s football. We have a clear tactic and I believe that will be the key to success.”
Wales v North Macedonia team news
Wales are again without several senior figures. Ben Davies misses out through injury, joining Ben Cabango and Kieffer Moore on the sidelines.
Aaron Ramsey, Connor Roberts, Danny Ward and Wes Burns remain unavailable, but Dan James returned from injury as a starter against Liechtenstein.
Joe Rodon is expected to marshal the visiting defence, having scored against both Liechtenstein and Belgium earlier in the campaign. Brennan Johnson, Mark Harris and Nathan Broadhead are competing for the central attacking role.
Midfielder Jordan James, who scored in the 1-0 win away to Liechtenstein on Saturday, is suspended alongside captain Ethan Ampadu after both were booked in Vaduz.
That means Harry Wilson will skipper the side on the Fulham winger’s return from a ban, calling the responsibility “a big honour”.
“I feel like one of the senior players and to be given the chance to lead my country out is something I’m looking forward to,” added Wilson.
“With the number of caps and big games I’ve played in, I like to think I’m one of the leaders in group. Now it’s up to me to lead the team in the right way to get that win.”
Bellamy, who will also return to the technical area following a suspension, praised Wilson’s impact as “really, really important”.
“We see it when he’s not with us as well,” he said. “Harry plays at a very high level. I’ve been really impressed by him and how he conducts himself.
“Everyone’s the same and it’s a privilege to be with this group, but Harry’s at the forefront of that.”
North Macedonia will miss the experience and versatility of former Leeds United player Ezdzan Alioski, who is injured.
Midfielder Bojan Dimoski and wingers Lirim Qamili and Kristijan Trapanovski return after absences from the previous squad.
“I’m sorry that Alioski will be missing,” said coach Blagoja Milevski. “He is important, but this is a chance for others to assert themselves.
“Regardless of the fact that [only] a small number of [our] players have continuous playing time at their clubs, they always give their maximum in the Macedonian jersey.
“For me, they are phenomena. To play at this level without [the] rhythm [of playing regularly] is a matter of respect. Everyone has earned their place in the national team.”
Milevski said he was satisified and had faith in his squad after testing a new formation, “new tactical tasks” and “situations that we have not worked on before” in a 0-0 friendly draw with Latvia on Thursday.
The match winner 😍@JordanJaj66 👏 pic.twitter.com/xbmgrlEwT7
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 16, 2025
Wales v North Macedonia predicted line-ups
Wales starting XI: Karl Darlow, Neco Williams, Dylan Lawlor, Joe Rodon, Jay Dasilva, Daniel James, Nathan Broadhead, Josh Cullen, Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas, Mark Harris
North Macedonia starting XI: Stole Dimitrievski, Mario Ilievski, Andrej Stojchevski, Nikola Serafimov, Stefan Ashkovski, Zekirija Ramadani, Isnik Alimi, Lirim Qamili, Eljif Elmas, Aleksandar Trajkovski, Bojan Miovski
How to watch Wales v North Macedonia: Live stream, TV channel
Kick-off on Tuesday is at 19:45 GMT (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT), with live coverage in the UK on BBC One Wales, BBC Three and S4C.
Steaming on a vast variety of devices is available via BBC iPlayer, S4C Online and the BBC Sport website.
Wales v North Macedonia stats
- Aside from the likeliest permutations, North Macedonia will qualify as group winners if they beat Wales and Belgium lose to Liechtenstein, or if North Macedonia win by seven goals or more and Belgium draw
- Wales will qualify as group winners if they beat North Macedonia and Belgium lose to Liechtenstein, or if Wales win by 12 goals or more and Belgium draw
- Bellamy’s team will go into the play-offs as group runners-up if both they and Belgium win, or if Wales win by 10 goals or fewer and Belgium draw
- The visitors dominated possession and had six of the eight attempts on target between the teams when these sides met in Skopje on March 25, North Macedonia going ahead through Bojan Miovski in the 91st minute before David Brooks equalised in the 96th
- Defeats to Belgium in qualifying and Canada in a friendly mean Wales have lost their last two home matches, although they had won their previous four as part of an 11-game unbeaten run in such games over 90 minutes
- North Macedonia are unbeaten in 14 competitive matches, including two draws with Belgium and one at home to England
- Including friendlies, they are unbeaten in four matches and have drawn their last three
- Ten of their last 13 competitive games have produced clean sheets
- Five of those clean sheets have come in their last five competitive away games, with the draw in Belgium ending a run of four wins on the road
- Milevski’s team have only scored more than once in two of their last 11 matches, both coming against Liechtenstein
