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Wales' attention are firmly on the upcoming World Cup play-off fixture as they await discovering their semi-final and possible final challengers.

Having ended second in their qualification group following a commanding 7-1 triumph over North Macedonia – their biggest win since 1978 – Wales will host the semi-final encounter on home soil.

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

Ex- Wales forward Rob Earnshaw feels the Welsh squad will welcome a tie against whichever opponent following their latest result at Cardiff City Stadium.

"I know Craig Bellamy, I played with him and his approach is 'give us whoever, it doesn't matter'," Earnshaw commented.

"Many supporters were asking recently, 'should we really want Republic of Ireland because of that derby feel?'. In my view a number of people were hesitant. But personally, that could be incredible.

"It's that type of situation, yes, we're ready for Kosovo or the Bosnians and Albania are decent and Ireland, of course, they're a very good team so it will be difficult.

"However the sense is that we'll take anybody right now and we're confident, and much of that is because of Craig Bellamy."

Possible Playoff Semifinal Rivals Reviewed

Wales are placed 34th in the world standings, with Albania 61st, Republic of Ireland sixty-second, Bosnia-Herzegovina 75th and Kosovo 84th.

The Albanian national team enjoyed a impressive qualification campaign, with their only losses suffered at the hands of their group winners England, who secured full points without allowing a solitary goal.

The Premier League's Armando Broja and the Serie A side's Elseid Hysaj are part of the Albanian squad's prominent names, though it was former Inter Milan, Barcelona and Watford striker Rey Manaj who topped their scoring chart in qualifying with three goals.

It is worth noting, Albania have never earned a spot for a FIFA World Cup, although they participated at the 2016 European Championship and the 2024 Euros, failing to reach the knockout stages on both occasions.

While Slovenia and Sweden had poor runs, with both not managing to win a qualification match, their group was a direct battle between Switzerland and the Kosovan team.

The Swiss ended the six-match qualifiers 3 points ahead of the Kosovans, whose single defeat was at the hands of the pool winners.

Kosovo feature ex- Manchester City goalkeeper Arijanet Muric and Mallorca's Vedat Muriqi – his country's historic leading goalscorer – in a team aiming for a maiden major tournament appearance.

They have not yet played Wales.

Bosnia were defeated only one time in qualifying, and claimed a point more than the Welsh managed in their eight games, but nonetheless ended 2 points adrift of their group winners Austria.

They were a quarter of an hour away from clinching a place at the finals, but Michael Gregoritsch's leveler for the Austrians ensured the teams tied in the last game of qualifying and Ralf Rangnick's team won the group.

Wales have not managed to beat 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 even after the defeat.

Being his nation's historic top goalscorer and record appearance player, ex- Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko, currently with Fiorentina, is undoubtedly Bosnia-Herzegovina's star player.

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

Lastly, we have Republic of Ireland.

Having taken just one point from their opening 3 matches, Heimir Hallgrímsson's side stormed into the playoffs with successive wins against Armenia, Portugal and Hungary.

Troy Parrott scored both goals against the 2016 European Championship winners Portugal before bagging a hat-trick – with the final goal arriving in the 96th minute – as the Irish surprised Hungary to secure second spot in Group F in thrilling fashion.

Key player Seamus Coleman had a vital role in his side's revival while Brentford keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has secured the starting jersey his to keep.

The Republic of Ireland are without a win in their last 4 meetings with the Welsh, losing 3 of those, though James McClean broke the hearts of the Red Wall as Martin O'Neill's team won a decisive World Cup qualifier at Cardiff City Stadium in 2017.