Bellamy backs Wales' place in Nations League A ahead of Haaland's Norway visit
September 28, 2026 15:20
Wales head into the fixtures on the back of a 2-0 defeat in Denmark and a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Lisbon, leaving them without a point in their group. The side are also without a victory in six matches in 2026 and have not won any of their eight League A games when combining results from 2022 and the current campaign.
WHAT HAPPENED
Bellamy defended his side's place among Europe's top nations, describing the Norway game as "another one, the intensity, top players, real speed." He added: "It's what group A is, up and down all the group As. When we were in the pot, we were in pot four and we thought, 'where do you want to be?'."
KEY CONTEXT
- Wales return to action with a home double-header: Norway on Thursday (19:45 BST) at Cardiff City Stadium, followed three days later by a rematch with Denmark.
- Norway arrive after a 2-1 home defeat by Portugal and a 3-2 opening win over Denmark; Bellamy praised the Norwegian project and its recent World Cup run, saying: "They get to the quarter-finals in the World Cup and you're really on a surge at the present moment." He noted Norway have two clubs in the Champions League and predicted they could be "a force for a number of years."
- Bellamy was unbeaten in his first nine games after taking charge in July 2024. North Macedonia (ranked 65th) remains the highest-ranked side he has beaten as Wales manager.
REACTIONS AND PRESSURE
Former Wales players have questioned progress since Bellamy's initial impact. Nia Jones said she still wants him as manager but suggested the "new manager bounce" has faded. Nathan Blake recalled the bright start under Bellamy after the Turkey game and suggested opponents may have adapted to Wales' front-foot style.
WHY IT MATTERS
Wales face two matches that will determine whether they avoid going a full calendar year without a victory for the first time since 1989 — a run that would intensify scrutiny of Bellamy in his first international window since being linked with the Burnley job.