FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers – Saturday 22nd March Matches Tips, TV and Betting Preview

The opening round of matches in the European qualifiers for the World Cup 2026 continue on Saturday when another half a dozen fixtures take place as we slowly set off on the journey to find out who will represent UEFA in America, Canada and Mexico in 15 months.

The Nations League play-offs are taking most of the teams away from this campaign in this international break but we still have 12 countries getting up and running with the aim for each being the same – to get three early points on the board.

Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (UK Kick off and TV in brackets)

Liechtenstein vs North Macedonia (14.00)

Moldova vs Norway (17.00)

Montenegro vs Gibraltar (17.00)

Czech Republic vs Faroe Islands (19.45)

Israel vs Estonia (19.45)

Wales vs Kazakhstan (19.45 – BBC One Wales/BBC Three)

Special Offer

Sign up for a Boylesports account and bet £10 to get up to £20 in free bets! Perfect offer for the Nations League! Click the image below for this great offer! New accounts only. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware.

Preview

The action gets underway in Liechtenstein where North Macedonia will know that if they want to be competitive in this qualifying campaign they have to come away with all three points. When they are done the attention will move to the other two groups on show on Saturday as Norway begin their quest to finally qualify for a major tournament again when they head to Moldova, while at the same time Gibraltar begin life under a new manager with a pretty daunting looking trip to face Montenegro, who, like North Macedonia before them will know there is no room for a slip up.

In terms of the British interest on Saturday, that comes along in the evening where Wales will begin their quest to end their World Cup absence when they host Kazakhstan in a big game for Craig Bellamy and his side. Czech Republic are another team who will be eyeing up a spot at the final stages of the tournament and they will need three points for a home match against the Faroe Islands in that quest. The other match sees the maligned Israel hosting Estonia.

Betting

There isn’t an awful lot which catches my eye here but I’m a little surprised that we can get a fair price on Wales to win by two or more when they host Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan were probably out of their depth in League B of the Nations League and not only did they finish bottom of their group, they didn’t score a single goal in the six matches and lost four of the six by more than a goal to nil. On their travels they were beaten 3-0 in Slovenia, 4-0 in Austria and 5-0 in Norway and they head to Cardiff without their leading scorer of all time who is injured.

Wales are very much a work in progress or in transition under Craig Bellamy, especially in attacking areas, but they have a number of forwards who are getting good minutes in the Premier League and the Championship, which hasn’t always been the case, and some promising youngsters who are ready to thrive at this level. Kazakhstan look an aging side who are nothing like a force away from the plastic pitch they have at home and if Wales are to do anything in this qualifying campaign they need to be winning this by more than a goal.

Tips

Back Wales (-1.5AH) to beat Kazakhstan for a 3/10 stake at 1.90 with Bet365