Ben Davies admits the frustration of Wales’ exit on the 2022 World Cup took a while to recover from however the defender insists the crew is extra motivated than ever forward of their qualifier in opposition to Kazakhstan.
Wales had been eradicated from the match in Qatar on the group stage with out selecting up a victory in what was their first look at a World Cup finals in 64 years.
The Dragons start their qualifying marketing campaign for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday as they welcome Kazakhstan to the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium.
Wales are unbeaten beneath new supervisor Craig Bellamy and shall be filled with confidence after securing promotion within the Nations League again in November.
Final day out within the capital 😍@HarryWilson_ 🤌 pic.twitter.com/gXxsW7txOL
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
Davies will captain the aspect within the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsey and, regardless of the crew’s sturdy latest kind, the defender was candid in his evaluation of their exhibiting two years in the past.
“It’s one thing that sticks with me and I’m certain it sticks with plenty of the opposite guys,” Davies mentioned.
“The very best second of Qatar for us was in all probability the Ukraine [play-off] sport getting there. It was disappointing on the market and is one thing that was powerful to recover from for some time.
“We didn’t actually present on the world stage how good we’re or how good we could be. In order that starvation to go and do it once more remains to be there.”
Alongside their opponents on Saturday, Wales have been drawn in a qualifying group with Liechtenstein, North Macedonia and Belgium.
And whereas on paper there are prone to be sterner exams in anticipate Davies and co. than Kazakhstan, the Tottenham participant believes there isn’t any such factor as a forgone conclusion in worldwide soccer.
Davies mentioned: “Each sport now at worldwide stage goes to be a troublesome sport. We’re conscious that the expectation [to win] is there nevertheless it’s not one thing that we as a gaggle should pay any consideration to.
“It’ll be a troublesome sport in opposition to an opponent who will make it very troublesome for us and shall be combating for each ball.”
DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🏴🇰🇿
The beginning of our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying journey! 👊 pic.twitter.com/wTRcbyyjts
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
The sport can even mark Bellamy’s first main match qualification sport as supervisor.
The 45-year-old, who earned 78 caps for Wales as a participant, has overseen three wins and three attracts in his first six video games in cost – the perfect begin of any Wales supervisor.
And Davies believes the squad is reaping the rewards of Bellamy’s teaching abilities.
“I really feel like I’m studying issues on a regular basis,” Davies mentioned about taking part in beneath Bellamy.
“The extent of element on the coaching pitch and in assembly rooms is second to none. The largest praise I may give him [Bellamy] is that each participant on this squad is feeling like they’re turning into higher.”
Wales tackle Kazakhstan on the Cardiff Metropolis Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 19:45 UK time.
