Wales and the Republic of Ireland both suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in their World Cup 2026 playoff matches on Thursday night, ending their hopes of reaching the tournament. Craig Bellamy's Wales side led Bosnia-Herzegovina until the 86th minute through a stunning strike from Dan James, but a header from 40-year-old Edin Dzeko forced extra time. The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes, and Bosnia prevailed 4-2 on penalties after Neco Williams and Brennan Johnson missed their spot-kicks.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Ireland squandered a 2-0 lead against the Czech Republic, with the hosts equalising through Ladislav Krejci and Patrik Schick. In the penalty shootout, Caoimhin Kelleher saved from Mojmir Chytil to give Ireland a 3-2 advantage, but misses from Finn Azaz and Alan Browne proved costly. Jan Kliment scored the decisive penalty to send the Czechs through 4-3.
Both matches were tightly contested, with Wales taking the lead through Dan James' powerful strike before Dzeko's late header. Ireland had earlier taken control through two penalties from Troy Parrott, but the Czechs fought back to level. The shootouts were dramatic, with Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow saving the first Bosnian penalty from Ermedin Demirovic, but misses from Williams and Johnson allowed Bosnia to capitalise.
For Wales, it was another painful playoff exit on penalties, echoing their Euro 2024 defeat to Poland. Ireland's wait for a World Cup appearance extends to 24 years, having last qualified in 2002. The results mean that both nations will miss the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
