Wales are standing at a real crossroads in their World Cup qualifying journey as they welcome Belgium to Cardiff. It’s a tight group. Softfootball reports that North Macedonia leads with 12 points, Belgium are just behind on 11, and Wales sit on 10. This match, honestly, could swing the whole thing either way.
Craig Bellamy’s men are back home, where they haven’t lost a competitive game since June 2023 (W6, D3). But that record is on the line after their 3–0 loss to England, a game that was practically over before it began, with all three goals coming inside twenty minutes. The manager’s been visibly frustrated by how shaky the team’s been at the back lately, and Softfootball reported how fans reacted to that early collapse by Wales. Still, there’s hope Brennan Johnson looks sharp, Sorba Thomas could be back in, and the Cardiff crowd always brings something extra.
Watch the press conference of Craig Bellamy and Ben Davies uploaded via Wales’ official X account:
Belgium, on the other hand, are unbeaten in six games (W4, D2), but they’re not quite convincing either. They drew 0–0 with North Macedonia last time out despite firing 20 shots and recording over 3.0 xG. Rudi Garcia’s side look great on paper, yet they’ve managed just one win in their last ten away matches. That’s not the kind of record you brag about before heading to Wales, honestly.
Wales also uploaded another video of the team’s final preparation ahead of the encounter on their official X page.
Watch the video below:
Team News
Wales: No new injuries reported. Karl Darlow should keep his place in goal, with a back four of Williams, Rodon, Davies, and Dasilva. Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson are set to support big man Kieffer Moore up top. Expect Sorba Thomas to feature after being rested against England.
Belgium: Kevin De Bruyne remains the heartbeat of the team, pulling strings from midfield. Lois Openda might get the nod after coming off the bench last time. Charles De Ketelaere’s out, meaning Debast and Theate are likely to pair in central defence.
Possible Lineups
Wales (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Davies, Dasilva; Ampadu, Cullen; Brooks, Wilson, Johnson; Moore
Belgium (4-3-3): Courtois; Castagne, Debast, Theate, De Cuyper; Raskin, Onana; Saelemaekers, De Bruyne, Doku; Openda
SoftFootball’s Prediction
This matchup carries history—Wales fans still talk about that 3–1 win over Belgium at Euro 2016. But since then, not much joy: no wins in the last five meetings (D2, L3). Belgium have more individual quality, that’s clear, but Wales at home… they’re a different animal.
Still, experience and finishing might just tilt it Belgium’s way.
Prediction: Wales 1–2 Belgium
It won’t be easy, but expect a hard fight. Wales will make them sweat, but Belgium’s big names might just nick it late.
