Wales suffered a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff to end their 2026 World Cup dreams.

Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams both missed in the shootout as Kerim Alajbegovic’s winning spot-kick saw Bosnia set up a home World Cup play-off final against Italy on Tuesday.

Wales’ play-off semi-final heartbreak means they miss out on qualifying for back-to-back World Cups.

Edin Dzeko’s late header forced extra time after Dan James had stunningly volleyed Wales ahead early in the second half.

Craig Bellamy’s side will return to Cardiff on Tuesday to face Northern Ireland, who were defeated by Italy in their play-off semi-final, in a friendly.

Wales will feel they should be hosting Italy on Tuesday for a spot at the World Cup, having been four minutes from booking a play-off final against the four-time winners.

Harry Wilson looked like breaking the deadlock at the Cardiff City Stadium as he struck the post and forced a save from a free-kick with Wales’ only shot on target of the first half against a physical Bosnia side.

But it was James who delivered the breakthrough six minutes into the second half with a superb volleyed strike from around 25 yards.

The Leeds winger latched onto a loose ball and caught Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj out with a powerful shot to give Wales the lead.

An end-to-end encounter then ensued as James hit the bar with a deflected shot, before Wales goalkeeper Karl Darlow made a fabulous stop to somehow claw out Ermedin Demirovic’s header at his near post.

But Darlow could not keep out Dzeko’s header as the 40-year-old Bosnia captain rose highest at a corner to equalise in the 86th minute for his 73rd national team goal.

The ex-Manchester City striker was then involved in a touchline clash with Bellamy in extra time, which saw Dzeko booked.

Neither side could find a winner in extra time, with Wilson missing the best chance, taking the tie to penalties, where Bosnia prevailed in a cruel repeat of Wales’ Euro 2024 play-off exit.