World Cup play-off final: Reaction as Wales reach 2022 World Cup

1. Wales end 64-year wait to appear at a World Cup
2. Bale's deflected strike free-kick earns tense win over Ukraine
3. Wales will play England, United States and Iran in Group B at Qatar 2022

Wales’ painful World Cup history

Few need to be told that it has been quite some wait for Wales when it comes to the World Cup.

By the time Gareth Bale and team-mates line up against Ukraine on Sunday in Cardiff, it will be just shy of 64 years since Wales appeared on football's biggest stage.

This play-off campaign is the closest the national side has come to making it in almost three decades.

BBC Sport Wales' Chris Wathan has taken a look at past qualification campaigns, and how close Wales have come on several occasions.

Read more: Penalties, passports and floodlights: Wales’ painful World Cup history

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Nathan Blake

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

I don't think there was a right or wrong choice [team selection].

I think playing Kieffer Moore up front is something that I would have done myself and you've also got the threat of Dan James in behind.

He's [Robert Page] done well to get the two of them in, I thought he might go a bit more cautious.

Fans gather in Dnipro

Wyre Davies

BBC News, Dnipro

Ukraine’s domestic football league was suspended after the Russian invasion at the end of February and, since then, sport has been the last thing on people’s minds here. But at the Makhno bar in the central city of Dnipro, fans began to gather a couple of hours before the big match. “We’re confident we can win - perhaps 2-1 to Ukraine, but it will be a close game” said Mitya, enjoying a beer before the match. Asked whether it was easy to think about football, given what’s happening in the county, his friend Dimytro said it was the first time he’d been on a night out since the start of the war. “It’s important, this is a global event and today”, Dimytro says, “at least, I can think about something else.” Thousands of Ukrainians across this vast this country are willing their national side to reach the World Cup. Especially in towns and cities away from front line fighting, bars and cafes are showing the match. Although, for security reasons, no official outdoor fan-zones or large gatherings of supporters are happening. Having comprehensively beaten Scotland in their semi-final, Ukrainian fans are confident a team that has played little competitive football in recent months, can upset Wales at home and reach the finals in Qatar.

BBC Sport

Wales' players have just finished their warm-ups and run down the tunnel to rapturous applause from the home fans.

They've also just warmly applauded Ukraine's players as the finish their preparations.

'It is our time' - FAW chief Mooney

Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney says Wales believe this is their time to reach a first World Cup since 1958.

Mooney says Wales' focus is on winning even though the conflict in Ukraine is "very much in our thoughts".

"We believe this is our time to get to a World Cup finals," Mooney said.

"They are going through an horrendous time. I do understand that the world will look at this [and] like Eurovision, they want to see Ukraine get great global profile. We all do.

"But at the end of the day our job is to get to the World Cup. It will be decided on the football field. We believe we have enough in our locker to get us there."

Read more: Wales v Ukraine: 'This is our time', says FAW boss Noel Mooney

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'It means everything'

Friends Elizbeth, Lowri, Leah and Jessica said they are “buzzing” for the game.

Lowri Lloyd-Jones said: “We have to put politics aside, we have to go into the game and we have got to win.

“Not having one for 64 years, it just adds to the excitement and makes it more poignant. It means everything.”

Jessica Haynes said it was literally the “best day of the year".

BBC

How World Cup qualification could transform Welsh football

Wales qualifying for their first World Cup since 1958 could transform Welsh football on and off the field - financially, politically and culturally.

The brink of history. It has felt like familiar territory for Wales lately.

It is difficult to quantifying what qualifying for a World Cup would mean in practical terms - on and off the field, financially, politically, culturally.

Even in the midst of their most successful era, for Wales, it could be transformative.

"For everybody in Wales it's massive," says manager Robert Page.

"This is the biggest game in Welsh history since 1958. There's no hiding behind that and we're all excited by that."

Read more: How qualification could transform Welsh football on and off the field

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Natasha Harding

Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

I think he [Gareth Bale] has got a lot left in him.

He's always kept his cards close to his chest, he's not one to give anything away.

For me, he is somebody that could probably play for another two to three years if he picks his club wisely.

I don't think this will be the last we'll see of Gareth Bale whether they qualify or not.

Wales know 'most of the world will be against them'

Wales' men's football team knows "most of the world will be against them" today as they host Ukraine for a place in the World Cup in Qatar.

Wales manager Robert Page said "most of the world want Ukraine to get through", in solidarity after Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has killed thousands.

Ukrainian refugees in the UK have been offered tickets to the game in Cardiff.

Read more: Wales 'knows most of world against us' in Ukraine play-off

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Rob Phillips

BBC Wales Football Correspondent

Gareth Bale said yesterday this is the biggest game in Welsh history.

I understand where he's coming from, but remember they got to the quarter-final in 1958 where they came across a boy called Pele.

This is different, this is the media age and there is far more attention.

We can't think about Ukraine plight - Davies

Wales defender Ben Davies says the war situation in Ukraine is 'incredibly tough', but insists Wales have to focus on themselves today.

Wales host Ukraine in the World Cup play-off final at Cardiff City Stadium, with Robert Page's side looking to end a 64-year absence from the tournament.

Ben Davies says Ukraine situation is tough, but Wales have a job to do

Jayne Ludlow

Former Wales women manager on BBC Radio Wales

I am really really excited.

This is a huge game and I just hope the guys go into it with confidence, enjoy the 90 minutes and hopefully we'll do it.

'Important for the Ukrainian soul'

Yurii, 26, has travelled from London to watch the game and went to Glasgow for the semi-final.

"It was an amazing atmosphere, and today I am here for the first time in Wales, it is a really big game, it is important for our nation," he said.

“It is a really hard time with the war, for the Ukrainian soul it is important to get the win, lets hope we can, and I definitely think there is more than chance.

"We beat Scotland, lets hope today is the same.”

BBC

Ian Hunt

Presenter on BBC Radio Wales

We haven't known an atmosphere like this at Cardiff City Stadium, there's 35 minutes to go until kick-off and we can barely hear ourselves talk.

It's going to be something special.

Football Association of Wales give 100 tickets to Ukrainian refugees

Ukrainian refugees were given 100 tickets for today's World Cup play-off final in Wales.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Welsh government confirmed 100 of those fleeing the war will be given a chance to see the game.

It comes as Ukrainians who were living in Wales before the conflict called on the FAW to give tickets to those displaced by Russia's invasion.

Home tickets at the Cardiff City Stadium have sold out.

Read more: Football Association of Wales give 100 tickets to Ukrainian

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History on Welsh minds

Wales have history on their minds as they aim to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958 this evening.

Group games in Qatar against England, the United States and Iran await today's winners.

Read our full preview of this most significant of Wales games here.

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Nathan Blake

Former Wales striker on BBC Radio Wales

It's just two teams going at it and trying to get the biggest prize in the world, and that's getting themselves to the World Cup.