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Wales' sights are firmly on Thursday's World Cup play-off fixture as they await learning their semifinal and possible final rivals.

After ended as runners-up in their qualification group following a commanding 7-1 victory over North Macedonia – their biggest win since 1978 – the side will play the semi-final match on home soil.

They will play against either Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo or Ireland in that match on 26 March.

Former Wales striker Rob Earnshaw believes the Welsh squad will embrace a tie against whichever opponent following their most recent result at Cardiff City Stadium.

"I know Craig Bellamy, we were teammates with him and his approach is 'give us anyone, it doesn't matter'," Earnshaw stated.

"Many supporters were asking last night, 'do we actually want Republic of Ireland as it's that local atmosphere?'. In my view many people didn't. But personally, that could be incredible.

"It's one of those, indeed, we'll take the Kosovans or the Bosnians and Albania are competitive and Republic of Ireland, of course, they're a strong team so it will be difficult.

"However the sense is that we're prepared for anybody at the moment and we're confident, and much of that is because of Craig Bellamy."

Potential Playoff Semifinal Opponents Reviewed

Wales sit 34th in the world standings, with Albania sixty-first, Ireland sixty-second, Bosnia 75th and Kosovo 84th.

Albania enjoyed a solid qualifying campaign, with their only defeats coming at the hands of their group winners England, who secured maximum points without allowing a solitary goal.

The Premier League's Armando Broja and Lazio's Elseid Hysaj are part of the Albanian squad's recognizable names, though it was ex- Inter Milan, Barcelona and Watford striker Rey Manaj who topped their scoring tally in the qualifiers with 3 goals.

It is worth noting, the Albanians have never qualified for a World Cup, although they featured at the 2016 European Championship and the 2024 Euros, not managing to reach the last 16 on each occasions.

While Slovenia and Sweden endured torrid runs, with both failing to win a qualifying match, their group was a direct battle between Switzerland and Kosovo.

The Switzerland finished the six-game campaign three points clear of the Kosovans, whose one defeat was at the hands of the pool winners.

The Kosovan squad feature former Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric and Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi – his nation's historic leading goalscorer – in a squad targeting a maiden international competition appearance.

They have never played Wales.

Bosnia lost only one time in qualifying, and earned a point more than the Welsh managed in their 8 games, but still ended two points adrift of their group winners Austria.

They were 13 minutes away from securing a place at the World Cup, but Michael Gregoritsch's leveler for the Austrians ensured the teams drew in the last game of qualifying and Ralf Rangnick's team won the group.

The Welsh have failed to defeat the Bosnian side in four matches but did have a unforgettable loss against the Dragons as they qualified for the 2016 European Championship under Chris Coleman despite losing.

As his nation's historic top goalscorer and record appearance player, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko, now at Fiorentina, is unquestionably Bosnia-Herzegovina's standout player.

The 39-year-old was his squad's leading goalscorer in qualifying with 5 goals.

Lastly, we have Republic of Ireland.

Having secured just one point from their opening three qualifiers, Heimir Hallgrímsson's side stormed into the playoffs with back-to-back wins against Armenia, Portugal and Hungary.

Troy Parrott netted the two goals against Euro 2016 winners Portugal before bagging a triple – with the final goal coming in the 96th minute – as the Irish surprised Hungary to secure runner-up spot in Group F in dramatic style.

Talisman Seamus Coleman played a vital role in his team's resurgence while Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has secured the number one position his own.

The Republic of Ireland are winless in their last 4 encounters with the Welsh, defeated in three of these, although James McClean shattered the hopes of the Red Wall as Martin O'Neill's team won a crucial World Cup qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium in 2017.