With two crucial fixtures in early June, Wales is looking to edge closer to a historic achievement: qualifying for back-to-back World Cup tournaments for the first time.
Wales at the World Cup
Wales have qualified for just two World Cup finals: Sweden 1958 and Qatar 2022. In 1958, they reached the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out by a 17-year-old Pelé’s Brazil. Fast forward to 2022, and Wales made a long-awaited return, but it ended in disappointment, finishing bottom of Group B behind England, the United States, and Iran.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow, under the leadership of new manager Craig Bellamy, Wales have their sights firmly set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The USA, Canada, and Mexico will co-host this tournament. It would offer a stark contrast to Qatar 2022, where all eight stadiums were within an hour of each other.
Current Standings in Group J
Group J:
| Matches Played | Points | |
| North Macedonia | 2 | 4 |
| Wales | 2 | 4 |
| Kazakhstan | 2 | 3 |
| Belgium | 0 | 0 |
| Liechtenstein | 2 | 0 |
Wales began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan and a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia. This was a strong start under manager Craig Bellamy; however, the next two games will truly test this Wales side.
Upcoming Fixtures:
June presents two huge matches for Wales:
June 6 – Wales vs. Liechtenstein (Cardiff City Stadium, 19:45 BST)
June 9 – Belgium vs. Wales (King Baudouin Stadium, 19:45 BST)
On paper, the match against Liechtenstein is a must-win. They have won just two games in nearly five years—against Luxembourg in 2020 and Hong Kong in 2024. During that time, they endured a 41-game winless streak, with only seven goals in their last 30 matches.
Anything less than three points for Wales in Cardiff would be a missed opportunity.
Belgium – Golden Generation Over?
If Wales is to top Group J, it must overcome its familiar rivals, Belgium.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut this isn’t the same Belgium side of recent history. The so-called Golden Generation, featuring Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku, is now in decline. Hazard has retired, and the defence is unrecognisable from its 2018 World Cup peak.
That said, Belgium is rebuilding. Talented players like Amadou Onana, Jérémy Doku, and Johan Bakayoko are leading a new generation. While they may lack the star power of their predecessors, Belgium remains a dangerous opponent.
Wales has a history of big results against Belgium, including wins in Euro 2016 and World Cup qualifying in 2021, and hopes to continue this in June.
Routes to Qualification:
In UEFA qualifying, group winners earn direct entry to the World Cup. Runners-up and select Nations League group winners proceed to the play-offs.
Wales, having won their Nations League B group, is in a favourable position. If higher-ranked teams like Spain, Germany, Portugal, France, England, and Norway qualify directly, Wales could secure a playoff spot even without finishing in the top two of their group.
What Would Qualification Mean for Wales?
Embed from Getty ImagesReaching the 2026 World Cup would mark a historic milestone for Welsh football. Two successive qualifications would:
- Cement Wales as a rising football nation
- Boost grassroots investment and infrastructure
- Inspire a new generation of players and fans
- Increase funding and visibility for the Football Association of Wales (FAW)
After decades of narrowly missing out on qualifying for the big stage, Wales could be on the verge of something special.
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Amazing the Belgian golden era of players didn’t do better in Euros and World Cups. They had so many brilliant players. However, they played like individuals unlike Wales who are often far greater than the sum of their parts.