Wales begin their qualification bid for World Cup 2018 with a home match against Moldova on September 5, 2016 and end with a showdown with the Republic of Ireland.

The home game against the Republic of Ireland concludes Wales’ campaign on October 9, 2017.

That match is just three days after a long trip to Georgia in what represents a tough ending to the group for Chris Coleman’s side, who are at home in three of their first four.

"We just have to make sure that our boys are focussed like they have been," said manager Chris Coleman after the fixtures were released.

"It's not just quality of teams also looking at the journeys and the logistics. We have to continue on the path we've been on."

Chris Coleman's side are the top seeds in Group D, and play second seeds Austria away in October 2016 and at home in September 2017.

Coleman was surprised to begin with so many home clashes.

"That was a little bit unexpected," Coleman said.

"I think if you look at our home form for the past couple of years it's been excellent so we have everything to look forward to.

"But we've got a lot of football between now and then anyway.

"We've got to finish off the job we've started with the Euros and and that's what we're concentrating on at the moment.

"But three games out of four at home at the start of the campaign is a little bit unusual but it doesn't matter which way they come we'll deal with it.

"We're looking at the first two or three games home or away and whether you're playing the tougher ones or the ones who are deemed not so tough, it's about us performing to our potential and if we do that it will be a good start."

Wales have not qualified for a major tournament since the 1958 World Cup in Sweden.

Wales World Cup 2018 qualifying fixtures:

2016

Monday, September 5: Wales v Moldova (19:45 BST)

Thursday, October 6: Austria v Wales (19:45 BST)

Sunday, October 9: Wales v Georgia (17:00 BST)

Saturday, November 12: Wales v Serbia (19:45 GMT)

2017

Friday, March 24: Republic of Ireland v Wales (19:45 GMT)

Sunday, June 11: Serbia v Wales (19:45 BST)

Saturday, September 2: Wales v Austria (19:45 BST)

Tuesday, September 5: Moldova v Wales (19:45 BST)

Friday, October 6: Georgia v Wales (17.00 BST)

Monday, October 9: Wales v Republic of Ireland (19.45 BST)