Craig Bellamy: Wales boss driven by World Cup pain as a player
Bellamy made a great start in his first senior management tenure.
He has remained unbeaten in six matches so far, leading Wales to win their group stage last year, leading to Wales’ promotion to the top division of the National League, which also effectively ensures that they are at least qualified for the playoffs in the World Cup.
The purpose is to automatically block their position in the game. Wales visited North Macedonia on Tuesday after Saturday’s match against Kazakhstan, while Belgium and Liechtenstein are also waiting.
Wales qualified for their first World Cup in 64 years in 2022, but they were very disappointed as they exited the group stage in Qatar.
Bellamy sets his players’ goals, which not only qualifies for the 2026 World Cup football game, but also better illustrates his goals when he gets there – adding their names to the pantheon of great men who have been strengthened for this sacred competition.
“I remember the 1986 World Cup. I think the first game I remember was England against Poland, and Gary Gary had a hat-trick,” recalled Bellamy, 45.
“We used to go to Spain and I wore a threaded shirt. I left because I always wanted the Argentinians of Maradona.
“I really liked it in 1990, but it wasn’t a great World Cup. We saw Roberto Baggio’s appearance, but then Toto Schillaci took over Cameroon’s appearance like an unknown. I would say that was a good World Cup, but the most important one for me was 1994 in 1994.
“It’s amazing because I want Italy-Brazil finals. Romario has something. I just think it’s his World Cup. I look at Brazil every game. They’re more conservative than other teams in other Brazil, but I still think they have that quality.
“That World Cup, when I was a kid, I wasn’t sure what way I wanted to go. Do I mostly want to be with friends? I know that road wouldn’t take me to find football players. I want to spend a month watching almost every game.
Bellamy continued to reach the top of the club’s game, but despite counting international teammates like Ryan Giggs and Gareth Bale, Wales has never been close to reaching the World Cup in his career.
“I have to be honest, we are not qualified enough,” he said. “I never thought we were a team that could qualify. Even if we have all the luck in the world, we still don’t have enough quality, and I don’t.”
Fortunately, Bellamy feels differently about the current team.
He added: “I saw more and they proved that they’ve done it before. It helps because they’re qualified for experience.”
“I just want to win this group, but I don’t look far. I know you wish I could say that, but, I think if I live in the real world, that’s one step at a time. It’s really because otherwise you’ll get so overwhelmed and you’ll miss that. Kazakhstan is the most important thing.”
