Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wales ended a six-game winless run when they beat Norway 2-1 in Cardiff on Thursday
ByChris WathanBBC Sport Wales- Published51 minutes ago
There has not been much time for Craig Bellamy and Wales to enjoy their Nations League win over Norway.
After taking one Scandinavian scalp, the task is to claim another as Denmark come to Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday (19:45 BST).
Victory would mean recording back-to-back wins over higher-ranked nations for the first time in more than a decade.
It also offers an opportunity to take a huge step towards securing their top-tier Nations League status – and significantly boost their Euro 2028 qualification hopes.
Wales v Denmark
Nations League Group A4
Sunday, 4 October, 19:45 BST
Cardiff City Stadium
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Wales' win over Norway was their first in this Nations League A campaign, and followed opening defeats in Portugal and Denmark.
This is Wales' second crack at League A, having suffered immediate relegation without a win in their previous campaign at this level under Rob Page in 2022.
Bellamy has stated the aim is to avoid a similar fate this time around.
Thursday's win over Norway did not move Wales from the bottom of Group A4, meaning they trail the Danes and Norway on goal difference.
Beating Denmark would keep Wales' fate in their own hands going into next month's final fixtures against Norway in Oslo on 14 November and Portugal in Cardiff three days later.
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wales lost 2-0 to Denmark in Copenhagen last weekend
Changes to relegation format
The good news is that Wales could still stay in League A even if they finish bottom.
Because of a tweak to the format for the next Nations League in 2028-29, fewer sides will be demoted at the conclusion of this edition.
Previously, the bottom teams from each of the four League A groups were automatically relegated, with the four sides that finished third going into a relegation/promotion play-off against the four runners-up from League B.
This time, however, only the two worst-performing bottom sides go down – with the remaining pair going into the two-legged play-offs in March 2027.
Furthermore, the two best-performing third-placed sides are assured of their status, with the next two heading into the play-offs.
Ranking is based on points, goal difference, and the usual tie-breaking criteria.
Currently, Wales are the best of the fourth-placed sides, and a win over Denmark would really give them hope of avoiding play-offs altogether.
Not only that, it would keep alive hopes of finishing second and the chance to enter next spring's Nations League knock-outs, with two-legged quarter-finals to take place in March.
Euro 2028 implications
Image source, Huw Evans Picture AgencyImage caption, Cardiff's Principality Stadium will host the opening game of the European Championships on Friday 9 June 2028
It is not just about the pride – or the prize pot – of staying in League A.
Seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying is based on where teams finish in the Nations League's overall ranking.
Wales will co-host the Euros with England, Republic of Ireland and Scotland but will go through the standard qualifying process.
The draw takes place in Belfast on 6 December, with the teams split into 12 groups, with the he seeds decided by Nations League rankings.
That means the best-performing 12 sides after next month's final fixtures will be kept apart as first seeds.
In other words, if Wales can avoid finishing bottom, they will be a top seed for the draw and avoid facing any of the big guns.
All of the co-hosting nations will be kept apart in the draw and will attempt to qualify automatically, but two places will be reserved at the finals should any of those host nations fail to qualify.
