Tonight, the Cymru faithful will gather at Cardiff City Stadium as Cymru commence their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign against Liechtenstein. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:45pm BST, with live coverage available on S4C, BBC iPlayer, and S4C Online.
Date: Friday, 6 June 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm BST
Venue: Cardiff City Stadium
Broadcast: Live on S4C, BBC iPlayer, and S4C Online
A new era under Bellamy
Craig Bellamy, appointed as Cymru’s manager in July 2024, embarks on his first major qualifying campaign aiming to guide the nation to consecutive World Cup appearances. Emphasizing a fresh start, Bellamy has urged his squad to set aside club-level experiences and focus solely on national duties.
The 27-man squad features Europa League winners Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies from Tottenham Hotspur, alongside four Leeds United players who recently achieved Premier League promotion. Notably, 18-year-old right-back Ronan Kpakio from Cardiff City receives his first senior call-up, having made just one league start for his club. Veteran midfielder Joe Allen has retired from international football for the second time, marking the end of an era.
Opposition overview: Liechtenstein
Ranked 205th in the FIFA World Rankings, Liechtenstein enters the match as significant underdogs. Their recent form includes a 2-0 loss to Kazakhstan in March and a 3-0 defeat to North Macedonia, extending a challenging run with just one win in their last 47 matches.
Historically, Cymru boasts a perfect record against Liechtenstein, winning all three previous encounters without conceding a goal.
Group J landscape
Cymru competes in UEFA Group J alongside Belgium, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, and North Macedonia. After two matches, the standings are:
- North Macedonia: 4 points
- Cymru: 4 points
- Kazakhstan: 3 points
- Belgium: 0 points (yet to play)
- Liechtenstein: 0 points
With Belgium considered group favourites, securing maximum points against lower-ranked teams like Liechtenstein is essential for Cymru’s qualification ambitions.
Match expectations
Given the disparity in rankings and form, Cymru is expected to secure a comfortable victory. Predictions suggest a 4-0 win for the home side, emphasizing the importance of goal difference in tight qualifying groups.
How to watch
- TV: S4C
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer and S4C Online
Looking ahead
Following tonight’s fixture, Cymru will face Belgium on Monday, 9 June 2025, in what promises to be a pivotal match in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
