Wales must beat Denmark to keep Nations League A hopes and aid Euro 2028 seeding
October 3, 2026 12:20
Wales host Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (19:45 BST) after ending a six-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Norway in Cardiff on Thursday. That win was Wales’ first in this Nations League A campaign, which began with defeats in Portugal and Denmark.
WHY THIS GAME MATTERS
A victory over Denmark would give Wales back-to-back wins over higher-ranked opponents for the first time in more than a decade and put them in control of their Nations League fate heading into November. Thursday’s result left Wales bottom of Group A4 on goal difference behind Denmark and Norway; beating the Danes would keep qualification scenarios in Wales’ own hands before the final fixtures away to Norway on 14 November and at home to Portugal three days later.
LEAGUE A STATUS AND EURO 2028 SEEDING
This is Wales’ second season in Nations League A after they were relegated without a win in 2022. Manager Craig Bellamy has said the aim is to avoid a repeat of that outcome. The format for the 2028–29 Nations League has been altered so fewer bottom-placed teams will be automatically relegated this time: only the two worst-performing fourth-placed sides will go down, while the other two bottom teams will enter two-legged play-offs in March 2027. The two best third-placed sides are guaranteed to stay up, with the next two headed for play-offs. Rankings are decided by points, goal difference and the usual tie-breakers. Currently Wales sit as the best of the fourth-placed sides; a win over Denmark would improve their chance of avoiding the play-offs entirely and also keep alive the possibility of finishing second, which would open a route into the Nations League quarter-final ties scheduled for March.
EURO 2028 IMPLICATIONS
Seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying will be determined by the Nations League’s overall rankings. Although Wales will be a co-host for Euro 2028 alongside England, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland, they must still go through the standard qualifying process. The qualifying draw is set for Belfast on 6 December, when 12 groups will be formed and seeding will reflect Nations League placements. Wales’ Principality Stadium is confirmed as the venue for the European Championships’ opening match on Friday 9 June 2028.
BROADCAST
The Denmark match will be shown on BBC Two Wales and on BBC iPlayer, with radio coverage on BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live; live text is available via the BBC Sport website and app.