North Macedonia is set to host Wales in a pivotal World Cup qualifier at the Tose Proeski Arena on March 25, 2025.
Both teams are looking to build on their successful starts to the qualifying campaign, with North Macedonia having achieved a decisive 3-0 victory against Liechtenstein in their opener, while Wales secured a 3-1 win over Kazakhstan.
The match kicks off at 7:45 PM GMT, and is to be broadcast live on various platforms including BBC and S4C, with streaming options also available for international viewers.
In terms of team dynamics, North Macedonia has named a 27-man squad, with Luka Stankovski added to the mix. He has been performing impressively for his Serbian club Radnicki, scoring three goals in 19 appearances this season. The squad is in good health with no injury concerns reported.
On the other side, Wales faces a tougher situation as they are missing several key players. Notably, team captain Aaron Ramsey is sidelined for the rest of the season following hamstring surgery. Added to that, Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu, Rhys Norrington-Davies, and Ipswich Town winger Wes Burns are all unavailable for selection.
This World Cup qualifying match not only has implications on the pitch but is also underscored by recent tragic events in North Macedonia. A nightclub fire in Kocani resulted in the loss of 59 lives just days prior, prompting a seven-day national mourning period. Before the match, both teams will observe a minute of silence, and players will wear black armbands to honor the victims.
In their recent meetings, Wales has generally come out on top. The last encounter ended in a 2-1 victory for Wales during the UEFA National League, creating an added layer of motivation for the Welsh squad to maintain their competitive edge against North Macedonia.
North Macedonia’s manager, Blagoja Milevski, is anticipated to make strategic decisions to maintain their winning streak, currently at six matches. In contrast, Wales aims to continue their unbeaten record under coach Craig Bellamy, who has not lost a match since taking charge.
As Wales prepares for what promises to be an intense battle, they are focused not only on securing points to further their World Cup ambitions but also on displaying solidarity with the people of North Macedonia affected by the recent tragedy. As both teams gear up at the Tose Proeski Arena, the stage is set for what will surely be a memorable and hard-fought encounter.
With the stakes high for both teams, this is a must-watch fixture in the ongoing World Cup qualification journey.
