All the build-up with just hours to go until Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-finals as Northern Ireland and Wales set for pivotal night
In images: Northern Ireland fans in Bergamo | From Belgium to Cardiff
Wales take on Bosnia-Herzegovina and Northern Ireland go to Italy 'with nothing to fear' with the winners meeting each other in Tuesday's final
A win in the final will guarantee a place at the World Cup which begins in June and takes place in Canada, United States and Mexico
Wales are looking to reach a second consecutive World Cup while Northern Ireland's last involvement was 40 years ago, at Mexico 1986
In Cardiff? In Bergamo? Get in touch with your thoughts, images, hopes and expectations before a huge night
Big night ahead then... good news for Adam [16:25] who doesn't know whether to watch Wales or Northern Ireland - you can watch both on the BBC.
BBC Sport's build-up from Bergamo is underway here - you can watch and listen to Italy v Northern Ireland across the BBC.
As is the coverage from Cardiff ahead of Wales against Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can find that here - how can you watch and listen?
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Really hoping for a Northern Ireland win! But it seems unlikely considering Bradley and Ballard are both injured and Northern Ireland have a poor away record.
Joel, Northern Ireland
Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (19:45 GMT)
The game will be live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two, BBC One Wales and the BBC Sport website from 19:30 GMT.
There will also be live radio coverage on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 5 Live from 19:00 GMT.
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Turkey, Ireland, Denmark, Italy, Poland, Kosovo, Sweden, Wales are the winners tonight for me.
George, Halifax
Adam [16:25], just watch both mate! Hoping for a big Wales win today tho on my end!
Finlay, York
All matches kick-off at 19:45 GMT unless stated
World Cup
Eight teams will qualify for a final play-off round next week with four ultimately progressing to the 2026 World Cup in America.
Thursday's World Cup play-off semi-final fixtures:
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Looking forward to tonight's game...come on Wales, we are all in this together, and we are strong together!
Jonathan, Wrexham
Italy v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Stuart Dallas is part of the BBC's TV coverage tonight, he'll be joined by fellow former NI internationals Stephen Craigan and Gerry Armstrong, along with legendary Italy striker Gianfranco Zola.
The game will be live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Three, BBC One NI and the BBC Sport website from 19:00 GMT.
There will also be live radio coverage on BBC Radio Ulster, Radio Foyle and BBC Sounds from 19:30 GMT with Michael Clarke joined by Jim Magilton, George McCartney and Keith Gillespie.
Italy v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Stuart Dallas
BBC Sport NI Columnist
It has been 40 years since Northern Ireland's last World Cup, and they have been handed the toughest possible draw if they are to make the finals this summer.
If they can win in Italy, and then again in either Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina, then it would be something very, very special.
Michael O'Neill and his players deserve a lot of credit for being in this position, and it shows the progress that has been made over the past few years as the squad continues to grow.
Despite that, few outside the group will expect them to win in Bergamo on Thursday and that can be an advantage.
Michael's squad is young and energetic. They can relish the opportunity, and they will be quietly confident of causing an upset.
Italy maybe aren't as strong as what they once were, but they are still a big nation with quality players throughout their side.
But the pressure is all on them to not miss out on a third World Cup in a row, so Northern Ireland have nothing to fear, nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Italy v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Image source, Reuters
Image source, ReutersSelect the 'Get Involved' button to have your say
I'm a Scotland fan but desperately hoping for Wales and Northern Ireland. Can't work out which to watch... any help?
Adam
Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (19:45 GMT)
Hal Robson-Kanu
Former Wales forward on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesThat Red Wall is a really powerful driver. It certainly carried us to Euro 2016, through it as well ultimately to the semi-finals.
It’s important that the fans get behind the team tonight, the atmosphere, you can really feel that sense of passion from the fans. If things don’t go well at the start of the game, it's important that the fans stay with the players and give that support.
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Booked the week off for (hopefully) the 2 playoff games. On my way to Cardiff now - nerves starting to kick in.
Adam
If Wales qualify then Harry Wilson should get a statue in every major city in Wales.
Oliver, Cwmbran
Italy v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Italy and Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is part of BBC Sport NI's team for tonight's coverage and was in fine form on their preview show for the big match.
You can watch the show on BBC iPlayer here
'Italy need to take a risk' - Zola
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Nervous already but we have no pressure. Away to Italy who could fail to qualify again. Time to dare to dream yet again.
Chris
Italy v Northern Ireland (19:45 GMT)
Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI in Bergamo
Tonight's game will be played at the New Balance Arena, the home of Serie A side Atalanta.
It will be played in front of just 24,000 fans - including 1600 or so from Northern Ireland - but it's a really nice stadium.
It was renovated in 2024 and there's one new addition that you can't miss walking to the ground.
Atalanta won the Europa League in Dublin in 2024 and there's a huge statue of the trophy at the front of the ground.
Now, that's just showing off.
Image source, BBC SportPoland v Albania (19:45 GMT)
George Booth
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesThis one is for you then, Pat...
Robert Lewandowski is aiming to reach his third World Cup with Poland, who face Albania at home in their play-off semi-final.
The 37-year-old has played 163 games for Poland and is their all-time top scorer with 88 goals.
Poland are unbeaten in six games, but Albania have lost only two of their past 10 - both against England.
In his past seven appearances for Poland, Lewandowski has three goals and four assists.
The Barcelona striker scored his only goal at a World Cup against Saudi Arabia in Qatar in 2022.
The winner of Poland-Albania will play away against Sweden or Ukraine.
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I’m Polish and I hope we can do it against Albania but of course, living in UK I’ll be cheering on all British sides too. Home advantage important for Wales, Irish sides will have to perform very well away from home to progress
Pat
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I'd predict the following for Path A: Wales 2:0 Bosnia Italy 3:2 Northern Ireland (AET) Wales 2:1 Italy Wales to go to the World Cup! C'mon Cymru!
Hayden
Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (19:45 GMT)
Malcolm Allen
Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Cymru
We have to deal with the tension and the nerves.
But more than anything else, we've got to be brave.
We have to believe in the game plan from Craig Bellamy, just like they did against North Macedonia in November.
Wales v Bosnia and Herzegovina (19:45 GMT)
Image source, PA Media
Image source, PA Media| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 13 | 15 |
| |
| 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | -2 | 12 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
| |
4 Luxembourg | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 13 | -12 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 12 | 14 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 11 |
| |
| 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | -5 | 4 |
| |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 12 | -8 | 2 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 13 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 11 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 12 | -2 | 7 |
| |
4 Belarus | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 17 | -13 | 2 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 12 | 16 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 11 | -1 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 7 |
| |
4 Azerbaijan | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 16 | -13 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 19 | 16 |
| |
| 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
| |
| 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 15 | -8 | 3 |
| |
4 Bulgaria | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 19 | -16 | 3 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 13 |
| |
| 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 10 |
| |
| 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 11 | 10 | 1 | 8 |
| |
4 Armenia | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 19 | -16 | 3 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 4 | 23 | 20 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 14 | -6 | 10 |
| |
4 Malta | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 19 | -15 | 5 |
|
5 Lithuania | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 15 | -9 | 3 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 22 | 4 | 18 | 19 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 7 | 10 | 17 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 19 | 10 | 9 | 13 |
| |
4 Cyprus | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 8 |
|
5 San Marino | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 39 | -37 | 0 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 5 | 32 | 24 |
| |
| 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 12 | 9 | 18 |
| |
3 Israel | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 19 | 20 | -1 | 12 |
|
4 Estonia | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 21 | -13 | 4 |
|
5 Moldova | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 32 | -27 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 7 | 22 | 18 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 11 | 10 | 16 |
| |
| 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 13 | 10 | 3 | 13 |
| |
4 Kazakhstan | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 8 |
|
5 Liechtenstein | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 31 | -31 | 0 |
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| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 24 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 14 |
| |
| 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 10 | -1 | 13 |
| |
4 Latvia | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 15 | -10 | 5 |
|
5 Andorra | 8 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 16 | -13 | 1 |
|
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 4 | 22 | 22 |
| |
| 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 8 | 10 | 16 |
| |
3 Faroe Islands | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 9 | 2 | 12 |
|
4 Montenegro | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 17 | -9 | 9 |
|
5 Gibraltar | 8 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 28 | -25 | 0 |
|
