Sky Sports reviews Thursday’s 2026 World Cup play-off semi-finals, with Wales hosting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Northern Ireland taking on four-time champions Italy and the Republic of Ireland taking on the Czech Republic in Prague.
Wilson adds stardust to Wales’ strong backbone
Thursday 7.45pm: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (winner faces Italy or Northern Ireland)
Harry Wilson is not the new Gareth Bale, but he does Bale’s job at his best, especially for Wales.
Fans have long been excited about Wilson’s natural talent and are now witnessing his impact on Fulham’s Premier League side on a weekly basis. He has 10 goals and six assists for his club this season, but he has been even better with the national team with five goals and two assists in his last five games.
Once Wilson starts to shine, his confidence will rub off on the other players and the home crowd, making it very difficult for Wales to stop them in their own half.
When Craig Bellamy took over as head coach, he wanted to establish a strong Welsh identity. That’s clear now. He wants front-foot football that combines intensity and energy.
Bellamy doesn’t always feel it, as international football can sometimes feel slow compared to club football, but his Welsh side won’t be heavy. During the qualifying campaign, we saw Wales winning the ball back quickly and showing an increasing strength in possession. It is important now to do this continuously.
Apart from being consistent in your play, you also need to be consistent in your selections. There’s always a lot of talk about the “backbone” of a great team, from the goalie to the glory hunters. Leeds United are backed by a large portion of Wales, with in-form keeper Karl Darlow receiving the number 1 keeper’s jersey. Joe Rodon is the rock at centre-back where success depends, while teammate Ethan Ampadu has the versatility to link up anywhere between defense and midfield. If Harry Wilson, one of the Premier League’s top stars, is brought in, his strong backbone will allow the team to take a big step forward.
Ask Bellamy if he’s thinking about preparing for the play-off final against Italy or Northern Ireland and you’ll get a glare. Bosnia, Bosnia, Bosnia. Until the game is over, he won’t enjoy anything else but Bosnia. It’s dangerous, a banana peel he wants to avoid. At this time, it is not a good idea to think too far ahead.
Geraint Hughes
Northern Ireland aims for earthquake in Bergamo
Thursday 7.45pm: Italy vs Northern Ireland (winner faces Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina)
On paper, perhaps in reality, it’s David vs. Goliath.
Enjoy David vs. Goliath in Northern Ireland. It used to be David (Healy) versus England, David (Healy) versus Spain.
For small countries, there is a sense of security in being vulnerable. Even if you lose, there is no big backlash, and if you win, you can become a hero. How will Michael O’Neill’s side fare against Italy in Bergamo on Thursday?
Connor Bradley and Daniel Ballard are absent. They represent 50 per cent of Northern Ireland players currently plying their trade in the Premier League.
Their absence will not only be a blow to Northern Ireland’s defense, but also their attack. Ballard is the player who poses the most threat in the air from set-pieces, while Bradley is the most dynamic player on the ball.
Yet, for some reason that only football can explain, hope remains. They have won the World Cup four times and are heavy favorites, but they are a far cry from the Azzurri, who were once a powerhouse.
If Northern Ireland has its way, it is unlikely to be such a spectacular sight. But will they be able to annoy the host? 0-0 at halftime? Are you struck by the feeling of anxiety that may exist among home-based helpers?
To call it a free strike would be to downplay the importance of the match. But Northern Ireland is freed from the weight of expectations.
The audacity to dream of instantly legendary results.
michael morrow
Republic of Ireland seeks to take advantage of turmoil in Czech Republic
Thursday 7:45pm: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland (winner faces Denmark or North Macedonia)
Republic of Ireland coach Heimir Hallgrimsson and captain Seamus Coleman spoke to the media in Prague.
The history of the Republic of Ireland begins here in Prague.
This will undoubtedly be the biggest match yet for many Irish players as they look to take another step towards this summer’s World Cup, but to do so they must get past the Czech Republic.
The Irish team is full of confidence, still feeling the high of back-to-back wins against Portugal and Hungary last November.
Speaking to several Czech Republic team officials, they say these results have been noticed and are particularly concerning for Irish striker Troy Parrott, who scored five goals in two games in November, including the 96th-minute winner against Hungary.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson said ahead of the match that one of the key aspects was being visually and mentally ready for the challenge ahead, and as always, he looked calm and confident.
But the main dilemma with his selection is whether to bring back experienced and proven players such as Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady and Chiedoze Ogbene. All three have had limited playing time this season due to various injuries.
Coleman and Brady, in particular, are the only two players in the squad who last represented Ireland in a major tournament in 2016, so their experience could be important.
Can Troy Parrott repeat Ireland’s heroics in Prague on Thursday?
Their opponents are in a state of flux.
The Czech Republic have a new head coach in charge of their first game on Thursday, with West Ham’s Tomas Soucek also stripped of the captaincy after his November internationals shocked local media and replaced by Wolves’ Ladislav Krejci.
It feels like all the pressure is on the home side, which could work in Ireland’s favor as they look to take another step towards qualifying for this summer’s World Cup for the first time since 2002.
Danial Khan
World Cup Playoffs Semi-Finals and Route…
Playoff Pass A:
Semi-final: Italy vs Northern Ireland
Semi-final: Wales vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
Final: Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy/Northern Ireland – Tuesday, 7.45pm kick-off
Playoff Pass B:
Semi-finals: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-finals: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Playoff Pass C:
Semi-finals: Türkiye vs Romania
Semi-finals: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Türkiye/Romania
Playoff Pass D:
Semi-final: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia – Tuesday, 7.45pm kick-off
