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

'Football not politics'

Dan Thomas from Llanllwni has travelled down to watch the game with his friends.

He said: “It’s such a big game, there is so much pressure, we are so close, we just don’t want to bottle it.

"It’s the best chance we have had for a long time.

“We won’t feel guilty if we beat them, it’s football not politics."

BBC

'We’re supporting the football team because that’s all we can do'

Ukranian Yuri Pyatkivskyy has travelled to Cardiff from his home in London because "that's all I can do".

"It’s very important to show the world we are all together and peaceful," said the 27-year-old.

“We’ve come to support Ukraine because that’s all we can do for the moment.

"Wales has given us a lot of help so we support Wales as well. I just can’t wait for a good game.”

BBC

Natasha Harding

Wales international on BBC Radio Wales

It's a once in a lifetime opportunity for all these fans to witness this, it's going to be an incredible night.

Wales have got to try to zone in to what's happening on the pitch rather than what's going on around them.

The missing line on Bale's CV

Wales fans need no reminding of the various stellar achievements on Gareth Bale's CV.

There is no mention, however, of the World Cup - and Bale admits that is the one big miss.

World Cup is what's missing says Wales' Bale

Bucket hats everywhere!

Getty Images

Politics, show tunes and triumph in Israel - Wales in 1958

As Wales prepare for their World Cup play-off final, this is the story of their last time in 1958 - a tale of politics, show tunes and triumph in Israel.

BBC Sport Wales' Dafydd Pritchard looks back at the last time Wales reached a World Cup... and how they got there.

Read more: World Cup play-offs: Wales' 1958 tale of politics, show tunes and triumph in Israel

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'For the Ukrainian soul, it's very important to win'

Welsh and Ukrainian football fans are mingling in Cardiff ahead of today's crunch World Cup play-off.

And Yurii summed up nicely what the game means to the visitors who at war with Russia after their invasion of Ukraine.

"It's very important for our nation, because it's a really really hard time, it's war," he said.

"For the Ukrainian soul, it's very important to get some wins."

Wales and Ukraine fans nervous ahead of World Cup play-off

'Support the little war'

Stanislav Ivanov, 39, said: "I am here to support the little war that we have in Wales today.

"Hopefully it will inspire people in Ukraine and the soldiers in the front.

“Football is always more than football but today especially, today this situation, the war against Russia, every little victory means so much more than what is actually happening on the football pitch, that’s what it is about.”

BBC

Stanislav hoped a victory for Ukraine today would help inspire the people back in Ukraine

Already a weekend of Welsh sporting history

Whatever happens tonight, Welsh sporting history has already been made in Cardiff this weekend.

ICYMI, Joe Cordina, a Cardiff boy, became Wales' 13th world champion boxer last night with a sensational knockout victory over IBF super-featherweight champion Kenichi Ogawa at the Motorpoint Arena.

Joe will be at the game today and as a huge Cardiff City fan and Wales' newest sporting star, he is guaranteed to get a good reception.

You can read my ringside report here.

Getty Images

'I wish we were playing anyone else other than Ukraine'

Anthony Williams is going to this afternoon's game with son Harry and friend Phil.

“If we can just get over the line today it would be something special and to say we were here," said the 52-year-old from Llwynypia in the Rhondda Valleys.

"But honestly I would rather play anyone in the world other than Ukraine - and if they do beat us we’ll certainly be supporting Ukraine in the World Cup.”

BBC

Your Wales starting XI to face Ukraine

BBC Sport

We asked, you voted, and you got your wish - for the most part.

Other than the selection of Wayne Hennessey in goal over Danny Ward, Rob Page has gone with the same 10 outfield players as your selected team.

There's a slight change in formation, with Ethan Ampadu starting in defence instead of midfield, but Kieffer Moore is picked to lead the line.

BreakingTeam news - Ukraine unchanged

Ukraine are unchanged from Wednesday’s 3-1 World Cup play-off semi-final win over Scotland as they are able to go with the same side.

Ukraine: Bushchan; Karavaev, Zabarnyi, Matvienko, Mykolenko; Stepanenko; Yarmolenko, Malinovskyi, Zinchenko, Tsygankov; Yaremchuk.

BBC

BreakingTeam news - Moore starts for Wales

Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Sport Wales at Cardiff City Stadium

Wales make nine changes from Wednesday’s 2-1 Nations League defeat in Poland as manager Robert Page reverts to his strongest team available.

Captain Gareth Bale returns, as do midfielders Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen among others.

The only players to retain their places from the game in Poland are striker Kieffer Moore and winger Daniel James.

Wales: Hennessey; Ampadu, Rodon, B Davies; C Roberts, Ramsey, Allen, N Williams; Bale, James, Moore.

BBC Sport

Wales happy to share unofficial anthem with Ukraine

Dafydd Iwan's Yma o Hyd [meaning Still Here, in English] has become Wales' unofficial anthem, but could equally be that of their opponents on Sunday.

The folk singer said when he performs his 1983 song at the World Cup play-off final he will be singing to everyone.

The former Plaid Cymru president said while his tune was about protecting the Welsh language, it was equally relevant to Ukraine's position today.

"There's no comparison between the plights of Wales and Ukraine," he said.

"I'll sing for their country as much as my own."

He said he hoped the lyrics would be shared on the big screen at Cardiff City Stadium, so Welsh and Ukrainian fans can sing together.

Read more: Can Wales get to the World Cup for first time in 64 years?

BBC

'Biggest thing for Wales'

Nathan Moore, Morgan Williams, Thomas Robbins and Brandon Price have come to Cardiff from Ebbw Vale for the game.

“It’s the biggest thing for our country, Wales will win, but I am nervous," said Thomas.

“It is probably the hardest game, Ukraine have the momentum behind them and the backing of everyone, so it is us against the world."

BBC

You could call this the final countdown...

From Carol Vorderman to Liam from Love Island, Wales' glitterati have sent a message of support to the Welsh team ahead of Sunday's crunch World Cup play-off.

Wales-Ukraine: Welsh celebs wish the team good luck

'We must win'

Originally from Kyiv, the Romaniuk family have travelled from Bath for the game tonight.

Dad, Dmytro, said: “We are supporting Ukraine and we must win, we will go to Qatar.

“It means a lot, we need this win, to support our army, our nation and our people – we just must win.”

BBC

Wales' most-capped fan?