North Macedonia vs Wales tips and predictions: Bellamy's boys to pass tough World Cup qualification test

North Macedonia state of play

As one of the games mentioned in our international weekly football acca, North Macedonia kicked off their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign in winning fashion against Liechtenstein. 

Goals from Aleksandar Trajkovski, Visar Musliu and Bojan Miovski earned the home side a 3-0 victory and extended their hot streak to six consecutive wins without conceding. 

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North Macedonia (ranked 67th in the world) bagged promotion in last year’s Nations League and will need to continue their brilliant form to stand any chance of qualifying for the World Cup. 

Wales state of play

Wales also have three points on the board after a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan in their Group J opener. 

Rabbi Matondo stepped off the bench to rubber-stamp victory for the Dragons after Daniel James, correctly predicted in our Wales vs Kazakhstan preview, and Ben Davies scored either side of Askhat Tagybergen's penalty.  

That made it seven games unbeaten for Craig Bellamy’s team, who are all but guaranteed, at least a place in the World Cup play-offs after Nations League promotion.

Key talking point: Will either side crack in crunch clash?

Belgium are the favourites to win Group J so this meeting between the next best teams is crucial. 

While North Macedonia's confidence is high, their fine form has coincided with facing inferior opposition to Wales. 

The hosts are looking to extend their national record to seven consecutive clean sheets, but Wales have shown a knack for getting results against teams of their calibre since Bellamy took charge.  

The Dragons beat Montenegro (ranked 73rd in the world) home and away and claimed four points from two meetings with Iceland (ranked 70th in the world) in last year's Nations League. 

Harry Wilson’s absence robs Bellamy of one of his most creative forces and Wales were far from their best against Kazakhstan, but they still managed to score three times.

Daniel James and Brennan Johnson have the pace to punish North Macedonia if they leave themselves vulnerable to counter-attacks. 

FIRST’s top tip for North Macedonia vs Wales

Draw no bet - Wales - 13/20 (Betway)

Due to the importance of the clash and the teams being in fine fettle, a close game is to be expected. 

If there is to be a winner, it's worth siding with Wales as they have turned a corner under Bellamy and their recent results are more impressive than North Macedonia's. 

Extra tips

Goal bands team B - 1 or 2 - 8/13 (Betway)

Wales are averaging 1.3 goals in away games under Bellamy, which is lower than their average of two at home. Only Turkey have been able to shut them out. 

Both teams to score - Yes - 17/20 (Betway)

North Macedonia have scored in their last 12 home games and that could be extended as Wales have kept just one clean sheet in three away trips since Bellamy's appointment. 

Team news

Despite having a 27-man squad at his disposal, North Macedonia boss Milevski might be inclined to stick with the team that started against Lichtenstein. 

In addition to the aforementioned Wilson, Wales are without Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey due to injury. Matondo could start after scoring against Kazakhstan, but Bellamy is likely to name the same XI. 

North Macedonia vs Wales predicted line-ups 

North Macedonia: Dimitrievski; Zajkov, Serafimov, Musliu, Alioski; Churlinov, Bardhi, Alimi, Elmas; Trajkovski, Miovski (4-4-2)

Wales: Darlow; Roberts, Rodon, Davies, Williams; Sheehan, Cullen; Thomas, Brooks, D. James; Johnson (4-2-3-1)

Form guide

North Macedonia: LLLDWWWWWW

Wales: WDDLDWDWDWW

Odds correct at the time of writing.