The expanded, 48-nation 2026 showpiece in Canada, Mexico and the USA may seem like a long way off, but European qualifying begins next year – the draw for which is set to take place on 13 December.
And where Wales finish in the Nations League could have two key bearings on how that road to the World Cup shapes up.
Most significantly, finishing top in the Nations League opens up the chance of getting a World Cup qualifying play-off spot.
With an increased 16 European teams qualifying, 12 places will be given to the winners of the 12 groups.
There will be four on offer via the play-offs, which will involve 16 teams: the 12 group runners-up, and the four best-ranked Nations League group winners who did not finish in the top two of their World Cup group.
In other words, with the majority of Nations League group winners from League A likely to either qualify directly, or earn a runners-up spot, finishing among the top sides in League B puts you in a very strong position to take a World Cup play-off place.
