PREVIEW: Wales have the chance to make new history as they host Bosnia in World Cup qualifier play-off | OneFootball

Aiming for back-to-back World Cup appearances for the first time in the national team’s history, Wales must look to the future rather than dwelling on their past as Craig Bellamy approaches a tough play-off campaign just two years after an agonising defeat to Poland saw the nation miss out on a spot at EURO 2024.

Wales’ recent history in major tournaments has been very bright. Ten years ago, Chris Coleman’s remarkable side embarked on a dramatic run to the EURO 2016 semi-finals after beating the likes of Belgium and Northern Ireland, who they could face in the play-off final if they beat Bosnia on Thursday. Five years later, the Dragons made it to the round of 16 at EURO 2021 before being eliminated by Denmark, although their first World Cup campaign since 1958 suffered a premature end with a group stage elimination the following year.

Now, Craig Bellamy’s side have the opportunity to become just the third Welsh team to qualify for the World Cup – and his record is impressive, having suffered just four defeats in 16 games, with two of those coming against Belgium.

As for Bosnia, the Zmajevi are looking for their own slice of history, having heartbreakingly missed out on automatic qualification due to a last minute Austrian equaliser which sent the Balkans back into second place. They had to settle for second on 17 points after just two defeats in the entire campaign as they strive to make it to their first World Cup since their debut appearance in the competition back in 2014, where they exited in the group stage.

The former Yugoslav nation suffered a chaotic period during their previous qualifying campaign ahead of EURO 2024. It was a spell where Bosnia had three managers in Faruk Hadzibegic, Meho Kodro and Savo Milosevic all of whom picked up just one win each to get the side into a play-off round, where they lost 2-1 to eventual qualifiers Ukraine.

In the four meetings between the two sides since Bosnia became an independent nation in 1992, Wales have never beaten the Zmajevi, instead picking up two draws and falling to defeats on two occasions. The last head-to-head saw Bosnia emerge as 2-0 victors in 2015.

Wales may be without captain and all-time top scorer Gareth Bale to call upon, and fellow legendary midfielder Aaron Ramsay’s best days might be behind him, but there is still a wealth of talent to call upon. Fulham’s Harry Wilson has been one of the Premier League’s top performers in the second half of the season, while fellow winger Brennan Johnson became Crystal Palace’s all-time record signing when he joined the Eagles for £35m.

Bosnia will be able to call up their national hero in veteran striker Edin Dzeko, who is still banging in the goals for Schalke in Germany captains the side. Having won the Premier League with Manchester City, the talisman has gone on to score more than 70 goals in his 146 appearances and will be looking to pull his team over the line one last time. Bosnia also have Bronby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic, who has been key to the way that manager Sergej Barbarez plays.