Liam Duckstein
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Wales host Norway in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday 1 October 2026, and the predicted lineups for both sides point to selection continuity rather than any late shake-up. Craig Bellamy and Ståle Solbakken have both used near-identical starting groups across their last two matches, so the two expected XIs below lean heavily on that pattern. Neither side’s projection should be read as a confirmed team sheet – it is simply the shape each has settled into most recently.
Predicted Wales Line-up
Wales are projected in a 4-2-3-1, the shape Craig Bellamy prefers as his default setup. This is a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – which points to a manager sticking with a group he trusts. Danny Ward and Neco Williams stand out as the most rehearsed picks, each having started both of the matches used to build this projection. Further forward, several attacking places look less fixed, with more than one midfielder having started only one of the two games sampled.
Wales predicted XI: Danny Ward; Neco Williams, Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Connor Roberts; Ethan Ampadu, Brennan Johnson, Sorba Thomas, Daniel James, Charlie Savage; Kieffer Moore
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | 12 | Danny Ward | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 3 | Neco Williams | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 4 | Ben Davies | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| D | 2 | Chris Mepham | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| D | 14 | Connor Roberts | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 5 | Ethan Ampadu | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 11 | Brennan Johnson | 2/2 | 2/2 |
| M | 19 | Sorba Thomas | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | 20 | Daniel James | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| M | Charlie Savage | 1/2 | 1/2 | |
| F | 13 | Kieffer Moore | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Predicted Norway Line-up
Norway are projected in a 4-3-3, matching Ståle Solbakken’s stated preference for the shape. Like their hosts, this is a settled side – 11 of the projected XI started their last match – and the numbers back that up: Ørjan Nyland and Julian Ryerson have both started every match used in this sample. Only the front line shows any variation, with Andreas Schjelderup the one attacker who started just one of the two games considered. The rest of the expected XI has been essentially unchanged across the sample.
Norway predicted XI: Ørjan Nyland; Julian Ryerson, Kristoffer Ajer, Torbjørn Heggem, Fredrik Aursnes; Patrick Berg, Sander Berge, Martin Odegaard; Erling Haaland, Antonio Nusa, Andreas Schjelderup
| Line | # | Player | Starts in last 2 | Last 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Ørjan Nyland | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| D | Julian Ryerson | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| D | Kristoffer Ajer | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| D | Torbjørn Heggem | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| D | Fredrik Aursnes | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| M | Patrick Berg | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| M | Sander Berge | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| M | Martin Odegaard | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| F | Erling Haaland | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| F | Antonio Nusa | 2/2 | 2/2 | |
| F | Andreas Schjelderup | 1/2 | 1/2 |
Team News and Confirmed Absentees
For Wales, no absentees are recorded in the data, so Bellamy’s selection headache is minimal heading into this one. Should he want to freshen things up, Ben Cabango and Lewis Koumas are the bench options with the most recent starting experience in this sample.
Norway’s team news is equally clean: no absentees are recorded in the data. Oscar Bobb, who has started once in the matches used here, looks the most tested alternative among Solbakken’s substitutes.
Where These Predictions Come From
Each expected XI here is built from that team’s last two lineups, weighting the more recent match more heavily than the one before it. Players marked as injured or suspended in the underlying data are removed from contention before the projection is drawn up. Because Wales and Norway have each played only two matches in this sample, treat both projections as tentative rather than settled fact – they will be updated as soon as official team news arrives.
Read also: Wales vs Norway Prediction: 01.10.2026 UEFA Nations League
FAQ
Who is Wales predicted to start in goal against Norway?
Danny Ward is projected to start in goal for Wales, having started both matches used in this projection.
What formation are Wales and Norway expected to use?
Wales are projected in a 4-2-3-1, while Norway are projected in a 4-3-3, both reflecting their coaches’ preferred shapes.
Are there any injuries or suspensions for Wales vs Norway?
No absentees are recorded in the data for either Wales or Norway ahead of this match.
What time does Wales vs Norway kick off?
The UEFA Nations League match between Wales and Norway kicks off on Thursday 1 October 2026.