What Wales need to do to reach the World Cup

Craig Bellamy is aiming to reach a major championship at the first time of asking as Wales' head coach

World Cup Qualifier: Wales v Belgium

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Monday, 13 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC3 and iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Wales take on Belgium at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday with Craig Bellamy's players knowing their World Cup qualifying fate is back in their hands.

Wales were left licking their wounds after Thursday's heavy defeat by England in a friendly at Wembley.

But the Belgium game is the one that really matters in this international break - and Wales have been boosted going into that fixture thanks to the Belgians' goalless draw with North Macedonia on Friday.

In little over a month, Wales fans will know if their team have made it to a second successive World Cup finals, or if they need to try again via the play-offs.

Here is the current picture in Group J as Wales bid to book a place at next year's tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

How it stands

Wales had been top of the group after Kieffer's Moore goal earned an uncomfortable 1-0 win in Kazakhstan last month, putting them on 10 points.

But their advantage at the summit did not last long, as North Macedonia thumped Liechtenstein and Belgium thrashed both Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan.

As a result, Wales slipped to third at the end of the September international window.

But Bellamy's men always knew Belgium had to face North Macedonia - and their stalemate in Ghent was the ideal result for Wales.

After that, North Macedonia sit top of the group on 12 points, one point ahead of Belgium and two points better off than Wales. North Macedonia have played one match more than both Wales and Belgium.

Whoever finishes top automatically qualifies for the finals, while the runners-up book a place in the 16-team play-offs for the remaining four spots.

What comes next?

Even a Welsh win against Belgium might not put them top of the group given that North Macedonia host Kazakhstan in their penultimate qualifier on the same night.

But victory over Belgium, the only side to beat Bellamy's team in a competitive game, would be huge given that this is the toughest fixture - on paper - Wales have left.

Wales go to group minnows Liechtenstein on 15 November before finishing the group with what may be another a huge night in Cardiff when North Macedonia visit three days later.

But there is unlikely to be any margin for error for Wales, who know three victories from here on in would seal their World Cup place.

First and foremost, Belgium's visit looks pivotal - as it will be for the visitors.

Rudi Garcia's team finish the group with a wintry trip to Kazakhstan and a home fixture against Liechtenstein, so will have top spot within their grasp should they beat Wales.

Wales' only competitive defeat under Craig Bellamy came against Belgium in June

What happens if sides finish level?

If teams finish the group level on points, positions will be decided on goal difference rather than head-to-head records.

At present, Belgium (+13) and North Macedonia (+9) are significantly better off than Wales (+5).

After goal difference, goals scored is the next tie breaker before head-to-head results are taken into consideration.

What happens if Wales finish second?

A nervous few weeks will await for fans next March.

The format is the same used in recent years and was how Wales reached the previous World Cup in Qatar.

Teams are placed into four paths and face a one-legged semi-final and a one-legged final. Win both and you secure qualification.

What happens if Wales finish third?

If the worst happens and Wales end up third, they are all but sure of having the chance to qualify for the play-offs as one of the Nations League group winners.

In the likely event of two of Spain, Germany, Portugal, France and England finishing either first or second in their group, Wales would get their play-off place.

It is a handy safety net, but it does come with a warning.

The play-offs are seeded with the Nations League entrants being automatically placed into pot four. In other words, should Wales finish third, they would face one of the highest-ranked runners-up in the semi-final.

Put simply, Bellamy's side have every motivation going into their final three games.

And all that matters from here on in is that they win.