Wales Reflects on World Cup Miss and Looks Ahead to Euro 2028
Ethan Ampadu represented Wales at the 2022 World Cup.
Missing out on the World Cup was a deeper blow to Craig Bellamy than he had anticipated. The disappointment remains palpable, especially as other nations enjoy the global spotlight this summer. Both Bellamy, the Wales head coach, and the supporters now focus on the next major tournament, which conveniently is the European Championships in 2028. Wales will co-host this event alongside England, the Republic of Ireland, and Scotland.
The question remains: what must Wales do to prevent similar heartbreak in future qualifiers and ensure a strong showing at the upcoming Euros?
What Lies Ahead for Bellamy and Wales After World Cup Setback?
Nations League Survival
Avoiding the play-offs would be a significant advantage for Wales. In recent qualification campaigns, Wales has missed out through the play-offs, both times losing on penalties. A favourable qualifying draw would also be beneficial, but improving Wales' seeding is necessary to achieve this. Maintaining their position in Nations League A is crucial to this goal, though it will be challenging given the upcoming autumn fixtures against strong opponents: reigning champions Portugal, a resurgent Norway, and Denmark, who themselves recently suffered play-off elimination on penalties to the Czech Republic.
Wales and Northern Ireland recently played out a friendly draw in Cardiff, highlighting the competitive nature of the region.
Learning from Past Mistakes
The Nations League campaign, featuring six matches over two months starting in September, will serve as an early indicator of how much Bellamy and his squad have absorbed from the World Cup disappointment. Bellamy described losing control of the semi-final against Bosnia-Herzegovina as a
"harsh lesson"and vowed
"not to be in that position again".
Wales will have an early opportunity to demonstrate progress in the League A fixtures. While possession has not been an issue, a pragmatic approach may be necessary given the defensive risks of matching top-ranked teams head-to-head. Young players must develop a more streetwise approach to complement their potential. Both the team and coach are still evolving and will need to continue learning through experience.
Players’ Development at Club Level
Some factors remain beyond Bellamy's direct control. As with any international manager, the progression of players at their clubs significantly influences national team success. Given the limited number of Welsh players in the Premier League, retaining as many as possible in top-flight football is advantageous. Ensuring regular playing time for squad members is also vital.
Cardiff City, with several promising young talents including 20-year-old centre-back Dylan Lawlor, whom Bellamy described as
"outstanding", will play a key role. The club's return to the Championship and ongoing development under manager Brian Barry-Murphy would be beneficial for nurturing future national team players.
Wilson’s Club Choice Could Impact Wales
Harry Wilson, who joined Fulham in 2021 initially on loan, has done more than most to fill the void left by talisman Gareth Bale. With 17 international goals to his name, Wilson will be 31 by the time the Euros arrive and has every reason to continue building on his excellent form this season.
Wilson is expected to leave Fulham at the end of his contract this summer. Wales and Bellamy will hope he selects the right club from what is anticipated to be a long list of suitors. Former England captain Wayne Rooney recently commented that Wilson fits perfectly at Fulham and questioned whether he might struggle for playing time at one of the Premier League’s top clubs.
As a Liverpool academy graduate, Wilson naturally aspires to compete at the highest level, but Wales would prefer him to be a guaranteed starter at his club. His next destination could have significant implications for the national team’s prospects.
Identifying New Talent
The depth of Wales’ player pool remains a challenge for Bellamy. He has consistently monitored emerging talent closely and has not hesitated to integrate youth players to strengthen the squad for both present and future competitions.
There is optimism that players like Kai Andrews of Coventry City and Charlie Crew of Leeds United will progress sufficiently at their clubs to contend seriously for national team selection before the next major tournament. Additionally, promising prospects from lower levels, such as Arsenal’s Under-19 international defender Brayden Clarke and 18-year-old Manchester City full-back Rhys Thomas, offer hope.
Attempts to recruit Tottenham’s young dual-qualified players Ashley Phillips and Mikey Moore have so far been unsuccessful, but Wales remains committed to expanding its player base through eligibility routes. Bellamy is known for his hands-on approach to talent identification, and proactive efforts to uncover potential new internationals will be beneficial.
The 73,000 Spectator Challenge
Wales must adapt to the environment of the Principality Stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 73,000. The prospect of a crowd size similar to the recent friendly against Northern Ireland echoing in the large stadium is not ideal.
While fans and players have grown accustomed to the atmosphere at Cardiff City Stadium, Euro 2028 presents a different scenario. The tournament’s home games, including the opener, will be held at the much larger Principality Stadium, traditionally a rugby venue.
The idea of hosting matches there before the tournament has been suggested, though it has met resistance from supporters who recall previous occasions marked by poor atmospheres. Bellamy’s goal extends beyond qualifying for Euro 2028; he aims to make a significant impact when Wales competes on home soil for the first time at a major finals.
This raises a strategic question: should Wales maintain their current setup to maximize qualifying chances, or should they acclimate to the larger venue sooner to prepare for the tournament environment? Larger attendances could also generate much-needed revenue after missing out on the World Cup. This debate remains open and requires careful consideration.
Leaving Nothing to Chance
Despite these considerations, Wales cannot afford complacency in their quest to reach the Euros. The qualifying campaign will commence in March 2027, with the draw scheduled for December in Belfast.
The format allows for 12 group winners to qualify automatically, along with the eight best-ranked runners-up. Additionally, two 'safety net' spots are reserved for any host nations that do not qualify directly.
Although Wales has broken a long-standing record by reaching a major finals after decades, their history of near misses means the team and management will strive to minimize risks and ensure qualification is secured without leaving outcomes to chance.
