Wales prepares for World Cup qualifier against Belgium

Wales manager Craig Bellamy believes a friendly match against England will help his team prepare for their World Cup qualifiers. The game is scheduled for October 9 at Wembley Stadium. This match comes just four days before Wales hosts Belgium, the favorite in their qualifying group. Bellamy sees the England match as beneficial because it offers high-intensity competition. He wants his team to gain experience before facing Belgium, which is crucial for their chances to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Wales will begin their qualifying campaign at home against Kazakhstan, followed by an away match against North Macedonia. New England manager Thomas Tuchel also supports the friendly. He believes it will be important for both teams as they aim for World Cup qualification. Bellamy mentioned that both teams were eager for the match, highlighting the good relationship between the Welsh and English football associations. Wales and England have a long history in football. They first played each other back in 1879 and have faced off 104 times. Their last meeting was in the 2022 World Cup group stage, where England won 3-0.