Wales’ hopes of being a top seed for Euro 2028 qualifying were ended by a 3-1 defeat to Norway in Oslo, with second-half goals from Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland condemning Craig Bellamy’s side to a loss that guarantees they will finish bottom of Nations League Group A4. David Brooks pulled one back for the Dragons, but the result means Wales cannot reach the top three needed for pot one in next month’s qualifying draw in Belfast.
Wales knew a top-three finish in their Nations League group would have earned a place among Europe’s heavyweights in pot one for the Euro 2028 draw. But after a goalless first half in freezing conditions, Nusa and substitute Schjelderup struck in the space of nine second-half minutes. Brooks reduced the deficit 11 minutes from time, but Haaland sealed the win from the penalty spot after Connor Roberts bundled over Schjelderup, making it 66 goals in 60 games for Norway.
Wales have a worse head-to-head record against Denmark and Norway, the two sides they could have potentially drawn level with on six points by beating Portugal in their final group match in Cardiff on Tuesday. A draw against Portugal would secure a Nations League relegation play-off in March against a League B runner-up.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy expressed his disappointment. “We wanted to be in pot one. That was the drive,” he said. “Some people might say, ‘What makes you think you should be in pot one?’. But I do. Maybe I’m naive. I see in big parts of that game today that we can be in pot one. Let’s take the good bits from the game, definitely improve on certain moments of the game and just keep pushing.”
Bellamy praised his substitutes, including Brooks and Rubin Colwill, for energising the attack after the break. “I thought Rubin and Broosky were top and ‘Sparky’ (Mark Harris) brought the energy and the intensity he’s going to give you. I thought the subs really gave us that push again and we got it to 2-1. But we made a mistake and it falls to a player who was offside, but then he isn’t offside by the time he hits the ball.”
Wales are co-hosts of Euro 2028 alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, and would open the tournament in Cardiff if they qualify.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Wales will now enter the Euro 2028 qualifying draw from a lower pot, increasing the likelihood of facing stronger opponents in the group stage.
- The defeat also leaves Wales fighting to avoid relegation from Nations League A, with a play-off in March.
- The result highlights the gap between Wales and Europe's elite sides, even as they prepare to co-host the tournament.
Background
Wales are co-hosts of Euro 2028 alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, and need to qualify through the regular qualifying process. A top seed in next month's draw would have given them a better chance of a favourable group, but the defeat in Oslo ends that possibility. They now face Portugal at home, needing at least a draw to trigger a relegation play-off rather than automatic relegation.
What to Watch
- Wales' final group match against Portugal in Cardiff on Tuesday 17 November.
- The result of the Nations League relegation play-off in March 2027 if Wales fail to win against Portugal.
- The Euro 2028 qualifying draw in Belfast in December, where Wales' seed will be determined based on their final Nations League position.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedWales’ hopes of being a top seed for Euro 2028 qualifying ended with the Norway defeat.Nation.Cymru: “Craig Bellamy expressed his disappointment after Wales’ Nations League defeat in Norway ended hopes of being a top seed in Euro 2028 qualifying.”
- SupportedWales lost 3-1 to Norway in Oslo, with second-half goals from Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland, and David Brooks scoring for Wales.Nation.Cymru: “second-half goals from Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup and Erling Haaland condemned Wales to a 3-1 defeat in Oslo, with David Brooks replying for the Dragons.”
- SupportedWales are guaranteed to finish bottom of Nations League Group A4 and cannot reach the top three needed for pot one.Nation.Cymru: “Wales are now guaranteed to finish bottom of Group A4”
- SupportedThe next qualifying draw is in Belfast next month.Nation.Cymru: “Wales knew finishing in the top three of their Nations League group would see them join Europe’s heavyweights in pot one at next month’s Euros draw in Belfast.”
- SupportedAfter a goalless first half in freezing conditions, Nusa and substitute Schjelderup scored within nine second-half minutes.Nation.Cymru: “The Dragons shaded the first half in a freezing Oslo, but were undone in the space of nine second-half minutes as the outstanding Nusa and substitute Schjelderup scored.”
- SupportedBrooks scored 11 minutes from time, and Haaland scored a penalty after Connor Roberts brought down Schjelderup.Nation.Cymru: “Brooks pulled one back 11 minutes from time after also coming off the bench, but Haaland made it 66 goals in 60 games for Norway from the penalty spot after Connor Roberts had bundled over Schjelderup.”
- SupportedHaaland’s penalty made it 66 goals in 60 games for Norway.Nation.Cymru: “Haaland made it 66 goals in 60 games for Norway from the penalty spot”
- SupportedWales have a worse head-to-head record against Denmark and Norway, the teams they could have drawn level with on six points by beating Portugal.Nation.Cymru: “with a worse head-to-head record against Denmark and Norway – the two teams they could have potentially drawn level with on six points by beating Portugal”
- SupportedA draw with Portugal on Tuesday would guarantee Wales a Nations League relegation play-off in March against a League B runner-up.Nation.Cymru: “A draw against Portugal on Tuesday would guarantee Wales a Nations League relegation play-off in March against a League B runner-up.”
- SupportedBellamy said, “We wanted to be in pot one. That was the drive,” and expressed the view that Wales could be in pot one.Nation.Cymru: ““We wanted to be in pot one. That was the drive,” Wales boss Bellamy said of missing out on top seed status in Euro 2028 qualifying. “Some people might say, ‘What makes you think you should be in pot one?’. But I do.”
- SupportedBellamy praised Brooks and Rubin Colwill, along with Mark Harris, for bringing energy and helping Wales get back to 2-1.Nation.Cymru: ““I thought Rubin and Broosky were top and ‘Sparky’ (Mark Harris) brought the energy and the intensity he’s going to give you. “I thought the subs really gave us that push again and we got it to 2-1.”
- SupportedWales are Euro 2028 co-hosts with England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, and would open the tournament in Cardiff if they qualify.Nation.Cymru: “Wales will be Euro 2028 co-hosts alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland – and actually get the tournament under way in Cardiff should they qualify.”