Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy and his squad will not be taking anything for granted when they make the long journey to Kazakhstan for their next 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Thursday 4 September (3pm).
“They’re athletic and stubborn,” said Bellamy as he announced his squad on Thursday morning. “I quite enjoyed them when we played them here. I watched the game back and I loved their mentality, and I have a lot of respect for them. I see them defending deep, even at home. It’s going to be a different type of tempo, and I can’t see that changing too much.
“We know when the games are, and we know what we’re up against. Every nation is the same there’s no excuses. This is a difficult trip, as it should be if you want to qualify for a major tournament. If we get the result we’re looking for then it gives us the opportunity to keep progressing, but at the same time, we knew this trip was coming and we’ve been preparing for it.”
Bellamy was clearly impressed by Kazakhstan’s performance during Cymru’s 3-1 win in Cardiff back in March, and explained how club side FC Kairat qualifying for the League Phase of the UEFA Champions League this season will improve the national team and make them an even tougher proposition towards the end of the campaign. FC Kairat qualified by beating Bellamy’s former club Celtic on penalties in the Play-Offs.
“Don’t underestimate it; what that will do for their nation is huge,” Bellamy said. “We don’t have any players playing Champions League football, Kazakhstan are going to have three or four. You can’t match it for intensity or for quality. Kazakhstan have players now that are going to be exposed to it, so it’s great we have them now and not in four or five months time, because their players are going to improve from it.”
Cymru captain Aaron Ramsey has not been selected despite recently returning to action for Mexican side Pumas UNAM. “He hasn’t played enough football,” explained Bellamy. “It wouldn’t be fair to call him up with the traveling and time distance and expect him to play any part having been out for so long, especially after a hamstring injury. It wouldn’t be responsible from us or fair to expect anything from him.”
Midfielder Ethan Ampadu and defender Connor Roberts are both ruled out through injury while three uncapped teenagers in Coventry City’s Kai Andrews together with Cardiff City duo Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor have been selected. Two other teenagers in Charlie Crew and Louis Koumas are also included in the senior squad.
“It’s a shame with Ethan as I’ve only had him for four games,” Bellamy added. “There are a few positions where we don’t have depth, and to be an international team you need to have depth. When we lose someone like Ethan, we need numbers beneath him and in that area we are light. We need to expose players at a younger age and think of the next generation.
“Cardiff have always had very good youngsters and they’re playing men’s football. What they are getting exposed to now will help them so much. It’s a different world and we’re going to see the benefit of it. League One is very different to the Championship, the intensity is higher in the Championship, but for young players it’s a good starting point and a huge help for us.”
One Cardiff City youngster not included in the squad is Rubin Colwill, and Bellamy explained the reasons for his decision. “He was very close, and his brother (Joel) as well by the way. I’ve been impressed by both of them. I just want to see it more. I want that consistency and I’m sure that’s going to come. He’s a person I really like and I’m enjoying seeing what I’m seeing, but I want to see it continue as well.”
Meanwhile, Kieffer Moore has been in good form for new club Wrexham this season and could make his 50th international appearance with Cymru currently second in Group J, just one point behind leaders North Macedonia at the midway point. “I thought that Kazakhstan and North Macedonia would be quite similar, and that one of them might get a couple of results to come between ourselves and Belgium,” said Bellamy.
“There’s a lot of football in this group left, there’s a lot of points that can be shared around, but we want to win every game from here on in. Whether that will be possible? I hope so. But the group is where I thought it was going to be.”
Following the match against Kazakhstan in Astana, Cymru will take on Canada in an International Challenge Match at the Swansea.com Stadium on Tuesday 9 September (7.45pm). Tickets for the match can be purchased here.
