Wales Faces North Macedonia in World Cup Qualifier Amid Mourning

SKOPJE, North Macedonia — Wales is set to clash with North Macedonia at the National Arena Todor Proeski on March 25, 2025, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match. The encounter comes during a national period of mourning in North Macedonia, following a tragic nightclub fire that claimed 59 lives earlier this month.

Wales enters the contest undefeated in their last seven matches under head coach Craig Bellamy, having recently secured a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, North Macedonia has also shown impressive form, winning their last six matches, including a 3-0 triumph over Liechtenstein.

“First and foremost, I’d like to send my condolences to the families and the people of North Macedonia,” said Bellamy in a statement prior to the match. “We know as a country what they’re going through and we’re fully behind them.”

Both teams are looking to solidify their positions in Group J, where only the top team automatically qualifies for the World Cup. Wales currently sits in second place. Bellamy has made several changes to the starting lineup from the Kazakhstan game, with Chris Mepham, Jordan James, and Nathan Broadhead included in the first XI.

Former Wales striker Nathan Blake commented on the game’s dynamics, stating, “It’s been a solid first half, Wales is obviously the better team.” The first half ended in a stalemate, with neither team managing to find the back of the net. Wales dominated possession, boasting 60%, but struggled to convert that control into scoring chances.

“At the moment, I don’t think they’re creating quite enough,” Blake noted, reflecting on Wales’ attacking prospects. Meanwhile, Nia Jones, another former international, expressed concern about missing opportunities that could cost the team valuable points.

Wales’ defense has come under positive review, with Joe Rodon and Chris Mepham recognized for their solid performances. Blake remarked, “They’ve swept up any mistakes their teammates have made.” A similar sentiment was echoed by Helen Ward during the match coverage, who commented on the team’s performance thus far, “They’ve had North Macedonia well within their control.”

As the match commenced, both teams paid tribute to the victims of the Kocani tragedy with a moment of silence, and players donned black armbands as a show of respect.

The stakes are high, as the outcome of this match could significantly impact the World Cup qualifying race. The tension and determination in both squads reflect the importance of the event, making it a must-watch clash for fans.

With critical points on the line and an emotional backdrop, Wales needs to channel their recent performance momentum into a reliable offensive strategy to carve out their first goal of the night. The match highlights not just a competition for points, but also resilience in the face of community adversity.