Craig Bellamy leads Wales into his first experience in a World Cup qualifier this evening. With an unbeaten record over his first six games in charge and a monumental game at the end of the Nations League campaign expectations are now high.
It’s all a part of winning games, the more you win or competitions you perform well in the overall fan view is more positive. Tonight Wales face Kazakhstan without three key players but are looking strong in any event. Ethan Ampadu and Aaron Ramsey are out but the most frustrating issue is Harry Wilson, a game changer at any level. Wes Burns is also out as is Rhys Norringtion-Davies. Kai Andrews has been fast tracked into the squad and Ollie Cooper returns along with Tom Lawrence.
On Andrews, Bellamy is impressed. "I watched his games with the under-19s, physically but also his ability to look after the ball. There's plenty of habits that need improving, but with young players that's understandable. I've always liked working with young players.At Anderlecht we gave debuts at 16, so it's quite normal. I see him as a high-potential player in an area we need quality. He's maybe a bit more fast-tracked than is usually the case in international football, but he's in an area we need to strengthen."
Wales still have an impressive choice for this game and going into an away game against North Macedonia next week. The expectations will be a minimum of four points, but we have to be honest and say six isn’t far from most supporters thinking.
⚽️ Goalkeepers: Danny Ward (Leicester City), Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United).
⚽️ Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Chris Mepham (Sunderland, on loan from Bournemouth), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City).
⚽️ Midfielders: Joe Allen (Swansea City), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Stade Rennais), Ollie Cooper (Swansea City), Kai Andrews (Motherwell, on loan from Coventry City), Sorba Thomas (Nantes, on loan from Huddersfield Town), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Tom Lawrence (Rangers).
⚽️ Forwards: Kieffer Moore (Sheffield United), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel James (Leeds United), Liam Cullen (Swansea City) below, Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich Town), Mark Harris (Oxford United), Lewis Koumas (Stoke City, on loan from Liverpool), Rabbi Matondo (Hannover 96, on loan from Rangers).
⚽️ Indy Focus
Rabbi Matondo has one goal in six games in Bundesliga 2 whilst Kieffer Moore is yet to find any form this year after six weeks out with a groin injury. He does have six goals to his name in the Championship this season. He also enjoyed scoring two against Cardiff City away, so if he does get a shot tonight maybe he can repeat that form on the same ground ? Moore hasn’t scored in the time Bellamy has been in charge. Brennan Johnson is nailed on to start with fourteen goals across all competitions for his Spurs side this season he is a danger man to all manner of defences. He also has bagged two since Bellamy took charge.Liam Cullen who sealed his place in the Wales squad scored two in his last game in the 4-1 defeat of Iceland in November. That was a pulsating night which saw Wales top their Nations League group and avoid any play offs which also are taking place this weekend.
Bellamy has numerous options throughout his squad.
⚽️ How it all works
Group stage matches will be played between March-November 2025. The 12 group winners qualify directly for the World Cup; the four remaining berths are determined by play-offs involving the 12 group runners-up. The 12 group runners-up will participate in the play-offs, along with the four best-ranked group winners of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League that did not finish their European Qualifiers group stage in first or second place. The 16 teams who enter the play-offs will be drawn into four play-off paths, with four teams in each. Play-off matches will be played in single-leg semi-finals followed by single-leg finals within the same international window in March 2026.
We will cover the game and report after it ends here on the Indy.