What do Wales need to qualify for Euro 2024?

Rob Page’s side are hoping to secure qualification for another major tournament

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 18 November 2023 14:04 GMT
Comments
Wales are looking to secure their place at Euro 2024
Wales are looking to secure their place at Euro 2024 (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wales are hoping to secure their place at Euro 2024 and another major tournament appearance.

Rob Page’s men are currently second in qualifying Group D, with two more fixtures left to play and only the top two teams in each group earn automatic qualification for next summer’s Euros.

Wales face Armenia in Yerevan on Saturday before concluding their campaign by hosting Turkey on Tuesday.

That is Turkey’s sole remaining game – they are currently clear at the top of the group on 16 points with qualification certain, and a win or draw will secure their spot as group winners.

Wales are currently level on 10 points with Croatia, each side having played six games. The 2018 World Cup finalists take on struggling Latvia before finishing their group efforts against Armenia.

Regardless of Croatia’s results, though, two wins from two will be enough for Wales to reach Euro 2024. This is due to their superior head-to-head record over Croatia, drawing the away fixture in Split in March and then securing a 2-1 win in Cardiff last month.

If Wales match or better Croatia’s final two results, they will finish ahead of them.

Wales beat Croatia at the Cardiff City Stadium in October
Wales beat Croatia at the Cardiff City Stadium in October (REUTERS)

However, Armenia could still come into the mix – they have the head-to-head edge over Wales after a 4-2 away win in June.

The Caucasus nation currently have seven points – if they win their final two games (against Wales and Croatia), and Croatia fail to beat Latvia, Armenia would finish second in the group. Even if Croatia do beat Latvia, Armenia would still finish above Luka Modric and co if they beat them by at least two goals in Zagreb on Tuesday.

All would not be lost for Wales if they were to finish third, though. Qualification play-off spots are available based on performances in the 2022/23 Nations League.

Wales were relegated from League A but with most of the teams ahead of them on the competition ladder likely to secure automatic qualification for the Euros, a play-off spot will almost certainly be theirs if they finish third in the group, notwithstanding a ludicrous set of results from other groups over the weekend.

Croatia, meanwhile, are assured of at least a play-off spot after reaching the Nations League finals.

Remaining fixtures

Armenia vs Wales, Yerevan (Saturday 18 November, 2pm GMT)

Latvia vs Croatia, Riga (Saturday 18 November, 5pm GMT)

Croatia vs Armenia, Zagreb (Tuesday 21 November, 7.45pm GMT)

Wales vs Turkey, Cardiff (Tuesday 21 November, 7.45pm GMT)

Team

Pld

W

D

L

Goal Difference

Pts

1. Turkey (Q)

7

5

1

1

+7

16

2. Wales

6

3

1

2

0

10

3. Croatia

6

3

1

2

+6

10

4. Armenia

6

2

1

3

-1

7

5. Latvia

7

1

0

6

-12

3

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in