Wales return to the top tier of the Nations League and commence their campaign with a trip to Lisbon to face Portugal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The Red Dragons won promotion back to League A after topping B4 which consisted of Turkey, Iceland and Montenegro in the 2024/25 Nations League.
Thursday's fixture will mark their first competitive outing in six months after they missed out on World Cup qualification via a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina in the play-offs in March.
Craig Bellamy's men did participate in friendlies against Ghana and Romania in June, but they will be raring to go as they prepare to face a Portugal side who are commencing a new chapter under Jorge Jesus.
Bellamy will have to rejig his defensive options with Leeds United's Joe Rodon and Cardiff City's Dylan Lawlor unavailable due to injury.
The key central defensive duo accompany several other influential players that will be missing for Wales during the international break, including Rodon's club team-mate Harry Wilson.
Wilson misses out with a quad issue, while Nathan Broadhead is another on the treatment table alongside Cardiff trio Rubin Colwill, Ronan Kpakio and Isaak Davies.
First-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow is another to withdraw despite featuring for Manchester United in their EFL Cup tie against Brighton last week, meaning Wrexham back-up Danny Ward should start between the sticks in the Portuguese capital.
The uncapped David Cornell has been called in to stock the goalkeeping departments, while Huddersfield Town's in-form striker Joe Taylor and Reading's Charlie Savage are options for Bellamy to consider after they were drafted in as alternatives.
With Rodon and Lawlow absent, Ben Cabango and Chris Mepham are likely to feature, and Bellamy may be tempted to switch to a back five in an attempt to nullify Portugal's attacking threat.
That presents the Wales boss with a dilemma at wing-back. Neco Williams is a definite starter and can play on either side, with Sorba Thomas - who is predominantly a winger - vying for a spot on the right and Jay Dasilva on the left.
Lewis Koumas has earned plenty of plaudits for his start to the season at Liverpool and is in line for a start, while Wolves' Jordan James could feature in the engine room alongside Ethan Ampadu.
Brennan Johnson is expected to lead the line over Kieffer Moore.
Predicted Wales XI
(5-4-1): Danny Ward; Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Chris Mepham, Ben Davies, Jay Dasilva; Lewis Koumas, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, David Brooks; Brennan Johnson.
