Wales start their 2026 World Cup qualifying marketing campaign in opposition to Kazakhstan in Cardiff hoping to increase their unbeaten run beneath boss Craig Bellamy.
The Dragons are at the moment undefeated beneath Bellamy, who took over following Rob Web page’s departure final July, and in November secured promotion to League A of the Nations League.
With three wins and three attracts beneath the previous Newcastle, Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis participant, Wales might be hoping to qualify for successive World Cup finals for the primary time ever.
In Aaron Ramsey’s absence, Tottenham defender Ben Davies will captain the facet in opposition to Kazakhstan, who Wales have been drawn alongside in a gaggle additionally containing Liechtenstein, North Macedonia and Belgium.
Listed here are how the 2 groups line up in Cardiff.
Wales workforce
Wales are the second seeds in Group J behind high facet Belgium, however Bellamy and co. could effectively have their sights set on computerized qualification after their sturdy exhibiting within the Nations League.
They’re, nevertheless, wanting being at full power, with Ramsey, Harry Wilson, Ramsey, Ethan Ampadu and Wes Burns all absent.
Wales: Darlow; Roberts, Rodon, B.Davies (c), N.Williams; Sheehan, Thomas; D.James, Brooks, Johnson; Cullen
Subs: Ward, Davies, Mepham, Cabango, Allen, Lawrence, Matondo, Moore, Dasilva, J.James, Harris, Broadhead
CYMRU XI 🏴🇰🇿
Our workforce to face Kazakhstan within the capital 🙌
💻 https://t.co/3RqUX2u87x pic.twitter.com/920aaRcEWg
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
Kazakhstan workforce
The guests will begin the sport as underdogs and something aside from a Wales victory might be thought-about a shock consequence.
Geographically, the nation is positioned in central Asia and the nationwide workforce was initially a part of the Asian Soccer Confederation’s Central Asian Soccer Federation after gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
They then joined UEFA within the early 2000s, however the workforce are but to qualify for a World Cup or European Championship finals.
Kazakhstan: Zarutskiy, Tapalov, Bystrov, Marochkin, Alip, Vorogovskiy; Chesnokov, Tagybergen, Muzhikov, Samorodov; Zhaksylykov
Subs: Pokatilov, Seisen, Astanov, Zhumakhanov, Zhaksybayev, Kenzhebek, Zhagorov, Zhukov, Aimbetov, Satpayev, Orazov, Mukhamed
