Sky Sports assesses Thursday's 2026 World Cup play-off semi-finals as Wales host Bosnia-Herzegovina, Northern Ireland go to four-time winners Italy and the Republic of Ireland face Czech Republic in Prague.
Thursday 7.45pm: Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina (winner will play Italy or Northern Ireland)
Harry Wilson is not the new Gareth Bale, but he's doing the job of Bale at his best, especially for Wales.
Fans have long been excited about Wilson's natural talent, but are now seeing his influence in the Premier League on a weekly basis for Fulham. This season, he has 10 goals and six assists for club, while for country, his stats are even better with five goals and two assists in his last five games.
If Wilson starts running the show, his confidence will feed to the other players and to the home crowd, and Wales will be very difficult to stop on their own patch.
Craig Bellamy wanted to create an identity for Wales when he took over as head coach. It's now clear: he wants front-foot football coupled with intensity and energy.
Bellamy doesn't always see that in international football as he finds it slower at times compared with club football, but his Wales side will not be ponderous. You could see during the qualification campaign that Wales' intensity in winning the ball back very quickly and holding possession grew. Now it's about consistently doing it.
Apart from consistency in play, there needs to be consistency in selection. Much is always made about the 'spine' of a good team, from the goalkeeper to the glory hunter! Leeds United provide a fair chunk of Wales' spine with 'keeper Karl Darlow on form and in receipt of the No.1 keeper's jersey. Joe Rodon is the rock at centre-back that success relies upon, while team-mate Ethan Ampadu's versatility means he can link anywhere between defence and midfield. Throw in one of the in-form Premier League stars, Harry Wilson, and a strong spine can take a team a long way.
Ask Bellamy if he has thought about preparing for the play-off final against either Italy or Northern Ireland and you'll get glared at. It's Bosnia, Bosnia and Bosnia. He won't entertain anything beyond Bosnia until the game is over. It's a danger, a banana skin he wants to avoid. Thinking too far ahead isn't good on this occasion.
Geraint Hughes
Thursday 7.45pm: Italy vs Northern Ireland (winner will play Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina)
On paper, perhaps in reality, it's David vs Goliath.
Northern Ireland enjoy David vs Goliath. Once upon a time it was David (Healy) vs England and David (Healy) vs Spain.
For smaller nations there is comfort in being the underdog. A loss would be met without a major backlash, a win makes you a hero. That's how Michael O'Neill's side will approach Thursday's assignment in Bergamo against Italy.
Conor Bradley and Daniel Ballard are out. Between them they represent 50 per cent of the Northern Ireland players currently plying their trade in the Premier League.
The pair's absence is as much a blow to Northern Ireland's attacking prospects as it is defensively. Ballard represents their best aerial threat from set-pieces, Bradley their most dynamic player on the ball.
And yet for some reason that only football can explain, hope remains. The four-time World Cup winners are heavy favourites but far from the Azzurri powerhouse of old.
If Northern Ireland have it their way, it's unlikely to be a pretty spectacle. But can they frustrate their hosts? 0-0 at half-time? Pounce on the sense of angst that will exist among the home support?
To call it a free hit would be to downplay the importance of the game. But Northern Ireland are free from the weight of expectation.
Daring to dream of a result that becomes instant folklore.
Michael Morrow
Thursday 7.45pm: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland (winner will play Denmark or North Macedonia)
History beckons for the Republic of Ireland here in Prague.
Make no mistake, this will be the biggest game to date for a lot of these Irish players as they attempt to take another step to this summer's World Cup but they must get past Czech Republic to do so.
Still coming off the euphoria of the incredible back-to-back wins against Portugal and Hungary last November, this is an Irish team full of confidence.
Having spoken to a few people around the Czech Republic team, those results have been noted and they are particularly worried about Irish striker Troy Parrott, who scored five goals in those two games in November - including the 96th-minute winner against Hungary.
Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson spoke ahead of this game about one of the key aspects is visually and mentally being ready for the challenge ahead of them, he seemed as calm and confident as usual.
However his key selection dilemma is does he bring back the experienced, tried and tested players such as Seamus Coleman, Robbie Brady and Chiedoze Ogbene - all three have had limited game-time this season for a variety of injuries.
Coleman and Brady especially are the only two players in the squad who were part of Ireland's last team in a major tournament which was in 2016 - their experience could prove vital.
Their opponents are in a state of flux.
Czech Republic have a new head coach who takes charge of his first game on Thursday, with West Ham's Tomas Soucek also being stripped of the captaincy after November's internationals having caused shockwaves in the local media - Wolves' Ladislav Krejci has replaced him.
The pressure feels like it's all on the home side which could play into Ireland's advantage as they look to take another step to qualify for this summer's World Cup - their first since 2002.
Danyal Khan
Play-off Path 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
Play-off Path B:
Semi-final: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Play-off Path C:
Semi-final: Turkey vs Romania
Semi-final: Slovakia vs Kosovo
Final: Slovakia/Kosovo vs Turkey/Romania
Play-off Path 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
