England and Wales Prepare for International Friendly at Wembley
International Friendly: England vs Wales
Venue: Wembley Stadium, London Date: Thursday, 9 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST
Coverage: Live on S4C, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app, along with live text commentary.
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has expressed his belief that it is only a matter of time before England secures another major tournament victory. The two teams are set to meet in a friendly match at Wembley on Thursday, 9 October, prior to Wales hosting Belgium in a crucial World Cup qualifier in Cardiff the following Monday.
Wembley holds historical significance for England, having been the site of their 1966 World Cup triumph. However, they have struggled to replicate that success in recent tournaments, finishing as runners-up at Euro 2020 and Euro 2024.
Currently ranked fourth in the world, England is seen as a formidable opponent compared to Wales, which holds the 30th position in the rankings. Bellamy has chosen to face England to provide his players with the opportunity to compete against high-caliber teams as they aim for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
"I don’t believe in friendlies when you represent your country. We respect what lies ahead, but we are going there to win," Bellamy stated.
He added, "The rivalry doesn’t affect me. I grew up in England and have full respect for their support of athletes. My football education took place in England, and I am immensely grateful for that. England is a top nation that has reached two consecutive finals in the Euros. I believe it's just a matter of time before they win again. I thought it would have happened sooner, but it's still coming."
This match will mark the first encounter between the two teams since England eliminated Wales from the 2022 World Cup with a decisive 3-0 victory in Qatar. Significant changes have occurred since that match, particularly in coaching staff, with Bellamy taking over from Rob Page and Thomas Tuchel succeeding Gareth Southgate.
In his first year as head coach, Bellamy has led Wales to success in their Nations League group, showcasing an ambitious new style of play. In contrast, Tuchel brings extensive experience and a track record of success in club football across Germany, France, and England before transitioning to international management with England.
Bellamy remarked, "We have the chance to play against a top manager and a top nation. However, our biggest rivals are ourselves. It’s about our identity and how we perform in every game. We need to demonstrate our character when we don’t have the ball and how we express ourselves when we do. That’s the team I want to coach, focusing more on our development than on rivalry."
Wales Looks to Convince Mikey Moore
Before their match against England, Wales has also been engaging in discussions with Tottenham Hotspur winger Mikey Moore, who is currently on loan at Rangers in the Scottish Premiership. Moore, who has played for England's Under-19s, qualifies for Wales through a grandparent.
Last week, BBC Sport Wales reported that the Football Association of Wales (FAW) had reached out to the 18-year-old, with Bellamy among those who spoke to him. "We consider every player available to us. I would prefer this not to be publicized, as it doesn’t benefit us. We work behind the scenes to identify players who can contribute to our success," Bellamy explained.
He continued, "I have spoken to many players who we believe could significantly enhance our squad. We need depth, and it would be naive not to consider all options. I believe no individual, especially young players, should be subjected to external pressure. Although I understand the interest, I prefer not to name individuals. We are always aware of who might represent us and whether they possess the mentality and ability to contribute to our team."