Wales vs Kazakhstan LIVE: Craig Bellamy’s team begin World Cup qualifying campaign in Cardiff | OneFootball

(Nick Potts/PA Wire)

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Wales begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign tonight as they face Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Craig Bellamy’s side managed to turn around the disappointment of failing to qualify for Euro 2024 and even finished top of Nations League Group B4 last year, surpassing Turkey on the final matchday.

Former Wales captain Bellamy received plenty of plaudits for that turnaround, though he will undoubtedly feel that his first real test is to secure a place at the next World Cup.

The fact that the 2026 is the first expanded tournament means that Bellamy should have a somewhat easier job task in securing qualification, though Group J still pits Wales against Belgium, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein.

Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Cardiff City Stadium below:

Tournament experience ‘so valuable’ for Wales

Craig Bellamy believes Wales’ experience of playing at major tournaments will have a positive bearing on their attempt to reach the 2026 World Cup.

Wales start their qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday before visiting North Macedonia three days later.

Group favourites Belgium and minnows Liechtenstein complete the section, with Bellamy confident Wales will benefit from participating at three major tournaments in the last decade.

Tournament experience ‘so valuable’ for Wales – Craig Bellamy

The Dragons ended their 64-year wait to play at a World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Mike Jones22 March 2025 19:15

Bellamy on facing England before Belgium

“I liked the opposition, England, because we have got Belgium,” said Craig Bellamy, about the scheduled friendly with the Three Lions later this year.

“I needed the high intensity, but I didn’t need it on a Friday (three days before the Belgium game).

“I needed England to work on a Thursday and we didn’t want to travel, so ideally it was to be a home game.

“But I wanted to keep the pitch OK as well because of the importance of the Belgium game.

“So, the high intensity and quality of the opposition without travelling, England was perfect.”

Mike Jones22 March 2025 19:00

New rivals

This will be the first meeting between Wales and Kazakhstan at men’s senior level.

Kazakhstan are ranked 110 in the world, 81 places below Wales, and were relegated from the second tier of the Nations League in November with only one point from six games.

But Wales should beware complacency: Kazakhstan won six of their 10 Euro 2024 qualifiers and beat Northern Ireland home and away, as well as upsetting Denmark and Finland.

Mike Jones22 March 2025 18:45