Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy has named a 26-man squad for two defining fixtures this month — an International Challenge Match against England at Wembley on Thursday 9 October, followed by a vital World Cup qualifier against Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium on Monday 13 October.
The double-header pits Cymru against two of the world’s leading nations. England currently sit fourth in the FIFA rankings, Belgium eighth, while Cymru moved up one place to 30th in September. For Bellamy, facing elite opposition is exactly the kind of challenge he wants for his developing side.
“It allows us to keep improving,” he explained at the squad announcement on Tuesday. “We need to improve. We want to be better and I want to be better as a coach.
So why wouldn’t you play the best opposition you can that’s available to you at that time? There’s a different intensity with these type of teams. That’s why it’s top level.”
A Positive Spin on England at Wembley
The Wembley clash comes just four days before Belgium arrive in Cardiff, but Bellamy sees only benefits in taking on Thomas Tuchel’s England so close to the qualifier.
“We get to play at Wembley Stadium against one of the top nations in the world. I don’t know what that is apart from excitement,” he said. “That leads us into another game of high intensity again. You’re ready because you’ve just got that momentum. I see that as being really important going into the next game.
I don’t believe in friendlies. There isn’t when you represent your country. We’re respectful to what we have coming up, but we’re going there to try and win.
Our biggest rivals are ourselves. Who we are. It’s us against us. It always is. Who are the people we represent? That’s our identity. We have to show that in every single game.”
Cymru’s last meeting with England was at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a 3-0 defeat in Al Rayyan. Their most recent Wembley appearance came in 2011 under Gary Speed, a narrow 1-0 loss in a Euro qualifier. Over 6,500 members of the Red Wall are expected to travel to London for this latest renewal of one of international football’s oldest rivalries.
Belgium Rematch in Cardiff
The Belgium fixture is the one that matters most in terms of qualification. The reverse game in Brussels in June was a thriller: Belgium raced into a three-goal lead before Cymru fought back magnificently, Brennan Johnson among the scorers, only for Kevin De Bruyne to snatch a late 4-3 win.
This time, the Cardiff City Stadium will be sold out, with tickets gone within 24 hours of general sale. Belgium, however, will arrive on the back of another heavyweight clash: they host Group J leaders North Macedonia just three days earlier, leaving them with less recovery time than Cymru.
Bellamy is keeping a close eye on that fixture:
“I believe Belgium will have a lot of the ball. They’ll be a lot more on the attack, but the counter-attacking threat of North Macedonia means you have to be concerned and you have to pay them respect. Belgium are top seeds, and of course, they’re there for a reason. What happens in that game is definitely going to have a huge effect on ours.”
Ramsey Returns
One of the most significant inclusions is Aaron Ramsey, recalled for the first time since September 2024. Now 34, the former captain has made six appearances for Pumas UNAM in Mexico, scoring once, and Bellamy is eager to see his influence back in the national side.
“He’s fit and I haven’t had that luxury with him,” Bellamy said. “When I look back at that first game, he was immense. He has the brain and that’s never going to go.
We have legs in and around him that could really benefit from his type of profile. What I’ve seen is a player when fit that still has a lot to offer in the way we play. He’s a player I massively admire.”
Ramsey last captained Cymru in Bellamy’s debut match as head coach against Türkiye in September 2024. The coach revealed the FAW have been monitoring his training in Mexico closely: “We’ve had his data back, how he’s training, and everything was positive. So, it’s only been good news for us really.”
Fresh Faces and Key Returns
Leeds United duo Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon return after missing the September internationals against Kazakhstan and Canada. Jay Dasilva and Nathan Broadhead are also recalled, while Cardiff City trio Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio and Joel Colwill — who all made their senior debuts last month — retain their places.
Cymru currently sit third in Group J, one point behind leaders North Macedonia and level with Belgium, who have a game in hand. With only three fixtures remaining — against Belgium, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein — the margins are razor thin.
The Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds United), Adam Davies (Sheffield United), Tom King (Everton).
Defenders: Ben Davies (Tottenham Hotspur), Jay Dasilva (Coventry City), Chris Mepham (West Bromwich Albion), Ben Cabango (Swansea City), Joe Rodon (Leeds United), Dylan Lawlor (Cardiff City), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff City).
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Leeds United), Aaron Ramsey (Pumas UNAM), Josh Sheehan (Bolton Wanderers), Jordan James (Leicester City, on loan from Stade Rennais), Liam Cullen (Swansea City), Joel Colwill (Cardiff City), Harry Wilson (Fulham), Sorba Thomas (Stoke City), Lewis Koumas (Birmingham City, on loan from Liverpool), David Brooks (Bournemouth).
Forwards: Mark Harris (Oxford United), Nathan Broadhead (Wrexham), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham Hotspur), Daniel James (Leeds United), Kieffer Moore (Wrexham).
