Craig Bellamy aims for qualification in the 2026 World Cup following Wales’ victory over Iceland, which secured their position at the top of the Nations League group.

**Craig Bellamy Aims for World Cup Glory After Nations League Success**

Craig Bellamy has set his ambitions high, with the goal of leading Wales to the World Cup following their impressive promotion in the UEFA Nations League. The Dragons have made a triumphant return to the top tier of the competition at the first attempt, marking a remarkable start to Bellamy’s tenure as manager.

Since taking the reins in July, Bellamy has yet to taste defeat, but he remains adamant that his players have even more to offer. “I believe there’s more for them,” he stated confidently. “I believe this game has more. I believe they can play. I believe they can pass the ball.”

The former international star is clear about his aspirations: “We want to go to a World Cup. We’ve got to get that ticked off. If we get there, we want to be competing. These players deserve to be there competing, because of their buy-in.”

Bellamy’s respect for his squad is evident, as he emphasizes the importance of their unity and character. “It doesn’t matter what we can do coach-wise. They’re in. When you have a group like that, their togetherness and who they are as people.. it’s inspiring.”

In a heartfelt moment, Bellamy reflected on the bond within the team, sharing a poignant story about a staff member who recently lost a close relative. “Do you know what they want to do? Out of the players’ pool, donate something for the memory of them. That’s the type of group I am coaching. How could you not be humble? How could you not be proud?”

Wales has only qualified for one World Cup since 1958, making their appearance in Qatar 2022, where they were unfortunately eliminated in the group stages. Bellamy, who enjoyed a 15-year international career himself, was among the many talented Welsh players who never had the chance to showcase their skills on the grandest stage.

However, the prospect of finally breaking that cycle is on the horizon. The promotion to the top tier of the Nations League significantly enhances their chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, potentially securing a play-off spot.

An emotional Bellamy added, “For where we want to be and where we want to go, it’s huge. It’s so important for us. I really wasn’t looking at what was going to happen. I knew Montenegro would be really tough. When we went there, it was so tough. Iceland, I felt they were fortunate to come away with a 2-0 win.”

He continued, “So you just never know, and if you really look at it, it’s been a really tough group. Turkey playing in front of 60,000 like they were the other day, then having to travel to Montenegro, playing in front of like 2,000 on a pitch that really isn’t great – that’s going to be a test. We felt that.”

Ultimately, Bellamy’s focus was on the task at hand. “But we just had to take care of what we had to today, and we were able to do that, and the result worked out well for us, so it’s an extra bonus.”

With Bellamy at the helm, the future looks bright for Welsh football, and the dream of World Cup glory is firmly within their sights.