Wales begin their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign tonight as they face Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Craig Bellamy’s side managed to turn around the disappointment of failing to qualify for Euro 2024 and even finished top of Nations League Group B4 last year, surpassing Turkey on the final matchday.
Former Wales captain Bellamy received plenty of plaudits for that turnaround, though he will undoubtedly feel that his first real test is to secure a place at the next World Cup.
The fact that the 2026 is the first expanded tournament means that Bellamy should have a somewhat easier job task in securing qualification, though Group J still pits Wales against Belgium, North Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
Follow all the latest build-up, team news and updates from the Cardiff City Stadium below:
Wales 0-0 Kazakhstan
6 mins: Sheehan gives the ball away and is brought forward by Maksim Samorodov.
He weaves inside from the left and takes a shot from the edge of the box whcih Joe Rodon blocks.
Kazakhstan come again and win a corner which Wales deal with without too much trouble.
Wales 0-0 Kazakhstan
3 mins: Wales take up possession from the goal kick. They seem to be set up in a back three with Josh Sheehan sitting as the lone defensive midfielder.
A long ball is sent over to the left wing for Sorba Thomas to chase but he take keep it in play.
Kick off! Wales 0-0 Kazakhstan
The visitors get the ball rolling at the Cardiff City stadium.
Kazakhstan work the ball over to the right wing and send it forward but the pass goes out of play.
Wales vs Kazakhstan
The lights go out in the stadium and atmosphere is electric.
The teams gather in the tunnel before heading out onto the pitch.
There’s a small section of Kazakhstan fans in the stadium having made the 7,000 mile journey to watch their team tonight.
Kick off is up next…
Wales without Bale
The now-retired Gareth Bale has scored each of Wales’ past three World Cup qualifying goals and this will be the first time Wales’ first match of a World Cup qualifying campaign will not feature Bale since September 2004 against Azerbaijan, a match that featured manager Craig Bellamy in the Wales starting XI.
A terrible record
Since beating the Faroe Islands in September 2013, Kazakhstan have won none of their last 21 World Cup qualifiers (seven draws, 14 defeats).
Among European nations, only San Marino (76) and Liechtenstein (41) are on longer winless runs currently.
Wales in World Cup qualifiers
Wales have lost just two of their last 22 World Cup qualifiers (11 wins, nine draws).
One of those defeats was in their first game of the last qualifying campaign against Belgium in March 2021.
Kazakhstan’s losing run
Kazakhstan have lost seven of their last eight competitive games, including the past five in a row.
They last had a longer losing run between November 2016 and October 2017 (six).
Tournament experience ‘so valuable’ for Wales
Craig Bellamy believes Wales’ experience of playing at major tournaments will have a positive bearing on their attempt to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Wales start their qualifying campaign against Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday before visiting North Macedonia three days later.
Group favourites Belgium and minnows Liechtenstein complete the section, with Bellamy confident Wales will benefit from participating at three major tournaments in the last decade.
Wales in great form
Wales have lost just two of their last 16 matches in all competitions with seven wins and eight draws.
Those defeats were a 4-0 defeat away at Slovakia in a friendly in June 2024 and a penalty shootout loss to Poland in their Euro 2024 play-off final three months earlier.