Will Craig Bellamy Get a Chance to Face Canada at the World Cup?
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Synopsis
Wales coach Craig Bellamy is eager to face Canada again at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after feeling slighted by Jesse Marsch's premature celebration during their recent friendly. Despite the 1-0 loss, Bellamy is focused on evaluating his young squad's performance in preparation for future qualifiers.
Key Takeaways
- Craig Bellamy is committed to developing young talent in the Wales squad.
- The match against Canada served as a vital test for the team.
- Bellamy’s frustration highlights the competitive spirit within international football.
- Debuts for young players will help build depth for future competitions.
- Wales looks ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with optimism.
New Delhi, Sep 10 (NationPress) Craig Bellamy, the newly appointed head coach of Wales, expresses a strong desire to confront Canada during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His frustration stems from the celebration antics of Jesse Marsch, the Canadian coach, who celebrated prematurely during a 1-0 victory in a recent international friendly.
“I still wanted to win, trust me. Honestly, I’m actually not happy because I really hate losing more than I like winning. I see him (Marsch) celebrating at the end. I’m thinking, ‘I hope I see you at the World Cup. I hope I see you again'. But I have to also be gracious. Jesse was shaking his coaches’ hands before the final whistle. I have to get used to that,” Bellamy remarked during the post-match interview.
In a closely contested international match held in Swansea, Canada narrowly defeated Wales 1-0. A first-half free kick from Derek Cornelius was the pivotal moment of the game. Despite intense pressure from Cymru in the second half, with Mark Harris coming close on two occasions, Wales couldn't find the net. Bellamy utilized this match to provide debuts to Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill, and Kai Andrews, offering them a vital experience ahead of the qualifiers in October.
Bellamy, however, refused to make excuses for the defeat. He emphasized the significance of assessing his squad's performance, especially with several young talents participating.
“I don’t do excuses. I don’t talk about process. I’m in the here and now, I want to win. But we had debuts, it was Charlie Crew’s first start, and we had one or two fringe players. I needed to see the squad and what they picked up with us. Can they play our way? I’m very impressed with that. But that speed of securing balls and seeing pressure, coming up with the ball, some of our boys have never been exposed to that,” he added.
Point of View
The focus remains on the growth and development of the Welsh team under Craig Bellamy's guidance. His commitment to fostering young talent and emphasizing performance over excuses sets a positive tone for Wales' future endeavors in international football.
NationPress
10/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Craig Bellamy frustrated with Jesse Marsch's celebration?
Bellamy felt that the celebration was premature and disrespectful, especially as the match wasn't concluded yet.
What did Bellamy hope to achieve from the friendly against Canada?
He aimed to evaluate his squad's performance and provide young players with valuable experience.
Who made their debut during the match?
Ronan Kpakio, Joel Colwill, and Kai Andrews made their debuts in the match against Canada.
What was the final score of the friendly match?
Canada won the match 1-0 against Wales.
What is Bellamy's approach to excuses after the loss?
Bellamy stated that he does not make excuses and focuses on the current performance and development of the team.
