Wales manager Craig Bellamy has said he “feels a responsibility” to guide his national team to the 2026 World Cup in North America, ahead of a critical home play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina later this month.
Bellamy, a former Manchester City and Liverpool forward, has impressed since taking charge of Wales in July 2024. The nation, which qualified for Qatar 2022 under previous coach Rob Page—their first World Cup in 64 years—now has another shot at football’s biggest stage.
Guiding Wales to the tournament would be “definitely up there” among his career achievements, Bellamy said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining momentum for the national team. “For us, to where we have been to now, we’ve got to keep looking to qualify, keep being in the major tournaments because it allows us to grow,” he added, noting the surge in football’s popularity in Wales over the past decade.
The 46-year-old, who earned 78 caps and scored 19 goals for his country, spoke during a trip to Hong Kong to launch the HKFC Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens, featuring two of his former clubs, West Ham and Newcastle.
Bellamy’s attention is firmly on Wales’ upcoming clash with Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff on March 26. A victory would set up a home tie against either Italy or Northern Ireland for a spot at the World Cup finals.
On the domestic scene, Bellamy also commented on Premier League trends, highlighting concerns over over-reliance on set pieces and the use of deceptive tactics such as feigned goalkeeper injuries. While acknowledging tactical flexibility, he stressed that “it doesn’t sit well” with him, advocating for a faster, more entertaining style of play.
