Several Wrexham players will have dreams of playing in the World Cup next summer, having been part of their international squads during the qualifying campaigns.
Nathan Broadhead and Kieffer Moore can deny Belgium a clean sheet record should they beat them in Wales’ qualifier in Cardiff, while also helping them edge closer to qualification.
Dom Hyam was not selected by Scotland for this international break; however, he had been part of their last couple of fixtures, so he will be hoping fine form at Wrexham could earn him a place on the plane to the World Cup if they qualify.
While Ireland look like they need James McClean, it is incredibly unlikely that they will qualify for the World Cup, as they have failed to secure a win in their qualifying campaign.
However, Issa Kabore has enjoyed a fine World Cup qualifying campaign thus far, and they have edged closer to the competition in North America next summer.
Burkina Faso have qualified for the next round of World Cup qualifying
Issa Kabore has been on international duty with Burkina Faso, and their two victories in their latest qualifying campaign mean they finish second in their group.
While Egypt finished top of their group, meaning they will now play in the 2026 World Cup, Burkina Faso finished second, which means they can progress to the second round of African qualifying, where they will play off with three other best-placed finishing nations.
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They must wait for the results from tonight with it still being possible that both Cameroon and Uganda can climb above them; however, with their goal difference Burkina Faso may be confident this won’t happen, with the pair to play Angola and Algeria respectively.
However, should they emerge victorious through this play-off system, then they will progress to the Inter-confederation play-offs.
This would then see Burkina Faso have to face off against one team each from AFC, CONMEBOL and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs, with only two teams progressing to the World Cup.
So, while Issa Kabore has edged slightly closer to playing at a World Cup, with it set to be the first time Burkina Faso would have ever qualified, there are still many matches between them and qualification for the tournament next summer.
Issa Kabore’s future at Wrexham
Issa Kabore has had a fantastic start to life in North Wales, already notching three assists in four Championship matches.
Graeme Bailey told The Wrexham Insider this week that Wrexham would ‘love’ to keep Kabore, though he stressed nothing has been decided yet.
He said: “Issa Kabore has been outstanding for Wrexham; them getting him to drop into the Championship was a major coup, and they are delighted with how it has gone. Clearly Wrexham would love to keep him, but nothing is decided yet.
Issa Kabore playing for Wrexham against Leicester City
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
“City are keeping tabs on him and will assess. Let’s not forget City are not blessed with many right-back options, so could we see him get a chance? Unlikely, but let’s see how it goes in the coming months.”
Wrexham will prepare for life without Kabore due to being on international duty with the African Cup of Nations this winter; however, despite this, he will be a key player for the team, having demonstrated his ability in his opening performances, bringing a real balance to the side on the right.