Craig Bellamy has firmly committed to his role as Wales manager following summer interest from Burnley, and will now lead his squad into their opening Nations League A fixture against Portugal on Thursday, 24 September 2026, at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. The 48-year-old head coach, who signed a four-year contract with the Football Association of Wales in July 2024, has described the decision to remain with the national team as the right one for his career and ambitions.
The match marks Bellamy's first competitive outing since the Clarets approached him during the summer transfer window. Bellamy revealed he experienced a "sleepless night" weighing whether to accept the Burnley position, but ultimately concluded that Wales represented the correct destination for him. He has publicly reiterated his commitment to the national team, stating that the Burnley approach did not alter his dedication to Wales.
The Welsh camp has made clear its satisfaction with Bellamy's decision to remain in post. Captain Ben Davies expressed the squad's perspective ahead of the Portugal encounter, stating:
"Selfishly, I think as a squad we're very happy to keep him."
Connor Roberts, who worked alongside Bellamy during his time at Burnley, acknowledged mixed feelings about the situation. Speaking to the BBC's Feast of Football podcast, the defender said:
"Am I a little bit disappointed that he's not Burnley manager? I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't."However, Roberts added:
"Now he is still the manager of Wales and he's going to continue to give us absolutely everything to produce and give us the best team that we possibly can and we'll see how the next few camps go."
Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has thrown his backing behind Bellamy as Wales embark on their second League A adventure in the Nations League. Speaking to the BBC's The Phone In, Mooney said:
"Craig is an outstanding coach, we're so delighted with the work he's done. He's the best I've come across, he's absolutely obsessed with the game."
What are Wales' objectives in the Nations League?
Bellamy has emphasised the significance of the Nations League competition and Wales' promotion to the top tier.
"The Nations League is amazing. I love it,"he stated.
"We got promoted, so we've earned the right to be here because that's how it works."
The manager has identified a clear target for the campaign.
"If we finish third, we have a very good chance of going as the top 12 seeds into the Euro qualifiers, so that's a huge carrot for us."A top-three finish would position Wales among the top 12 seeds for Euro qualifying, a significant advantage in the tournament structure.
Wales face a demanding group that includes Denmark and Norway alongside Portugal. The challenge has been compounded by injury absences that will force the squad to operate without several key players across the international window.
How has injury affected Wales' squad depth?
Bellamy's task has been made considerably more difficult by unavailability in his squad. Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Nathan Broadhead are all sidelined for the current international window, meaning they will miss four matches rather than the usual two-game cycle. Wales have called up uncapped players David Cornell, Joe Taylor and Charlie Savage as replacements for the injury absences.
Rather than viewing the situation as purely detrimental, Bellamy has framed it as an opportunity for squad development. He stated that Wales are "hoping to find another Harry Wilson after these four games", suggesting the extended absence could unearth fresh talent within the squad. Bellamy has handed a first senior call-up to Cardiff City forward Cian Ashford for the Nations League squad, demonstrating his willingness to integrate emerging players into the international setup.
How has Wales' trajectory changed under Bellamy?
Bellamy has reflected on the remarkable progress Wales has made during his tenure and in recent years. The former striker, who earned 78 caps for Wales during his playing career, never reached a major tournament. However, he has overseen a transformation in the national team's fortunes. Wales have qualified for three major tournaments in the past decade, a stark contrast to the struggles Bellamy witnessed as a player.
The manager has identified avoiding regression as a central motivation for his work.
"We're still finishing second in groups, we're now in our second time in Nations League A, so we still remain there,"he explained.
"My responsibility is to play a part in that. It's not just right now, it's to make sure that we remain healthy and keep trying to push - we don't dip and don't go out like sides that I played in where no one cared. We were out of the group before we knew it. There was no real interest. We just can't go back to that and we won't go back to it."
What is Bellamy's perspective on facing Cristiano Ronaldo?
Bellamy has consistently expressed admiration for Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old forward who recently extended his international career. Prior to the contest, Ronaldo indicated that reaching 1,000 goals represented a key driver in his decision to continue playing at the highest level.
Bellamy, who last faced Ronaldo when playing for West Ham United in 2008 and conceded twice to the Manchester United forward, has acknowledged the Portuguese star's extraordinary achievements.
"For him to still keep going, you just have to sit in awe, that's the honest truth,"Bellamy said.
"You cannot sleep, but you've never been able to sleep with this guy. The guy is incredible. We're talking about a thousand goals. Seriously? Who gets a thousand goals? We're not counting youth football or anything. It's just silly, and I hope he gets it, but I hope he gets nothing tomorrow. It starts after us."
What lies ahead for Wales?
The Portugal fixture represents the opening salvo in a demanding Nations League campaign. Following the Lisbon encounter, Wales will travel to Copenhagen to face Denmark in their next Nations League fixture. The league phase will continue through 17 November 2026, with the group stage determining seeding for the Euro 2028 qualifying competition.
Bellamy's squad will be tested immediately against one of Europe's elite sides, but the manager has demonstrated his commitment to building a competitive unit capable of sustaining Wales' recent progress on the international stage.
