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Saturday 22nd March, ko 7:45pm
Live on BBC1 Wales, S4C and iPlayer
Cardiff City Stadium
Match Officials:
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Donatas Šimėnas LTU
Bellamy calls on players to enjoy the game
Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy also spoke to the media in Friday afternoon ahead of the opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
“We had a meeting on Monday about what we learnt from the Nations League campaign and its been about reinforcing those messages,” he explained. “I’ve been really impressed with them this week and I’m excited about what’s to come.
“I want players to be to express themselves, and if you have the ball at your feet it will show a true version of you. We allow players to take responsibility. I want them to feel free to express themselves with the ball. Without the ball, you have to able to work for the team, and all these elements allow you to enjoy the ball. But if you cannot work without the ball, this is not the environment for you.”
Bellamy also spoke about Saturday’s opponents and the qualifying campaign ahead. “It’s a tough game,” he added. “What we’ve seen of them doesn’t change my opinion. We know the goal, we know where we want to go to, but it won’t be done tomorrow night. We can’t look too far ahead because it can become overwhelming. It’s one step at a time, and that’s life, not just football. We have to take care of tomorrow.
“Enjoy it, that’s the message. I wish I had enjoyed my career more. This is everything. If you cannot enjoy this, why would you put yourself in this position. Sometimes you get caught up in the games and competition for places and you forget how good this is. I’m grateful for this opportunity and grateful to be back at this level.”
Live on BBC1 Wales, S4C and iPlayer
Cardiff City Stadium
Match Officials:
Referee: Donatas Rumšas LTU
Assistant Referee 1: Aleksandr Radiuš LTU
Assistant Referee 2: Dovydas Sužiedėlis LTU
Fourth Official: Manfredas Lukjančukas LTU
Video Assistant Referee: Donatas Šimėnas LTU
Bellamy calls on players to enjoy the game
Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy also spoke to the media in Friday afternoon ahead of the opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.
“We had a meeting on Monday about what we learnt from the Nations League campaign and its been about reinforcing those messages,” he explained. “I’ve been really impressed with them this week and I’m excited about what’s to come.
“I want players to be to express themselves, and if you have the ball at your feet it will show a true version of you. We allow players to take responsibility. I want them to feel free to express themselves with the ball. Without the ball, you have to able to work for the team, and all these elements allow you to enjoy the ball. But if you cannot work without the ball, this is not the environment for you.”
Bellamy also spoke about Saturday’s opponents and the qualifying campaign ahead. “It’s a tough game,” he added. “What we’ve seen of them doesn’t change my opinion. We know the goal, we know where we want to go to, but it won’t be done tomorrow night. We can’t look too far ahead because it can become overwhelming. It’s one step at a time, and that’s life, not just football. We have to take care of tomorrow.
“Enjoy it, that’s the message. I wish I had enjoyed my career more. This is everything. If you cannot enjoy this, why would you put yourself in this position. Sometimes you get caught up in the games and competition for places and you forget how good this is. I’m grateful for this opportunity and grateful to be back at this level.”
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