Ian Rush has said Wales must draw lessons from their heartbreaking World Cup play-off semi-final exit against Bosnia and Herzegovina as the squad turns its attention to qualifying for Euro 2028.
Wales have gone four matches without a win in 2026 and missed out on a place at this summer's global tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico after losing on penalties to Sergej Barbarez's Bosnia and Herzegovina side in March. According to Sky Sports, the match was played on 26 March 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium and finished 1-1 after Dan James put Wales ahead in the 51st minute before Edin Džeko struck a late equaliser for Bosnia, sending the tie to a shootout that Bosnia won 4-2. Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams both missed from the spot for Wales, while Bosnia's decisive penalty was converted by teenager Kerim Alajbegovic, according to the same report.
Bosnia went on to face Italy in the World Cup play-off final, having also beaten the Italians earlier in the campaign, with the tie scheduled for the Tuesday following the Wales defeat, per a national broadcaster's live coverage.
The setback marked the second consecutive major tournament Wales have failed to reach on penalties, following their Euro 2024 play-off elimination against Poland, as noted by an analysis piece, which also pointed out that Wales had not appeared at a World Cup since 1958 prior to this qualifying cycle.
Wales now face a demanding run of fixtures for the remainder of 2026, taking on Portugal, Norway and Denmark in Nations League A. Despite the difficult road ahead, Rush is confident that manager Craig Bellamy - who this summer nearly departed the Football Association of Wales for the Burnley job - possesses the qualities needed to guide the national team forward.
"We have to be looking at qualifying [for Euro 2028], it's as simple as that," said Rush.
"Against Bosnia and Herzegovina, we should have won that. They beat Italy as well."
"The Euros are going to be in this country, so we need Wales to be in there."
The Liverpool great continued by praising his relationship with the current head coach.
"I speak to Craig quite a lot."
"He's very, very good, so I'm looking forward to a good season and some good rounds from them because it's going to be difficult, looking at Norway, Denmark and Portugal."
Why did Bellamy almost leave the Wales job?
Bellamy's position as Wales boss came under scrutiny earlier this summer when Burnley identified him as a potential successor to Scott Parker, as detailed in our earlier report on Burnley's pursuit of the Wales manager. At the time, Bellamy still had two years remaining on his contract with the Football Association of Wales and had previously worked as a Burnley assistant, fuelling speculation he might depart midway through his four-year deal.
Ultimately, talks between Bellamy and Burnley broke down, reportedly over disagreements regarding backroom staff appointments, and he confirmed he would remain in charge of Wales, as covered in our piece on Bellamy staying put after the Burnley move collapsed. Former Wolves coach Rob Edwards subsequently emerged as a candidate for the vacant Burnley post. Even before that collapse, Bellamy had already signalled his intention to stay, turning down interest from clubs to focus on leading Wales towards Euro 2028, according to our earlier coverage of his commitment to the national side amid the Burnley links.
Not everyone was reassured by the outcome, however. Former Wales international Iwan Roberts warned that the saga had damaged Bellamy's standing with supporters and the governing body, as outlined in our report on the strained relations following the failed move, suggesting the manager still has work to do to rebuild trust before the tournament arrives on home soil.
How has the Wales squad changed this summer?
Several Welsh internationals have changed clubs ahead of the 2026-27 season. Goalkeeper Karl Darlow departed Leeds United for Manchester United, while Harry Wilson, often regarded as the standout performer of the Bellamy era, moved from Fulham to Leeds. Liverpool prospect Lewis Koumas, who netted his first senior international goal against Ghana in June, is also expected to head out on another loan after spending last season on loan at Birmingham City and Hull City.
"I've seen Lewis quite a lot in pre-season, he looks very, very good," said Rush, who scored 28 times in 73 appearances for his country.
"Harry Wilson, he came on in the second half, he was a major influence for Leeds in beating Liverpool."
"We're looking forward, but we've got to keep it as a team, it's up to them to do that, but I can see us doing alright."
What comes next for Wales in the Nations League?
Wales open their Nations League A campaign away to Portugal in Lisbon on 24 September, followed three days later by a trip to Copenhagen to face Denmark. Bellamy's side then return home to host both Norway and Denmark at Cardiff City Stadium in October. The campaign concludes in November, with Wales travelling to face Norway before closing out with a home fixture against Portugal.
Key Facts
- Wales lost 4-2 on penalties to Bosnia and Herzegovina after a 1-1 draw on 26 March 2026 in Cardiff.
- Dan James scored for Wales; Brennan Johnson and Neco Williams missed their spot-kicks in the shootout.
- Bosnia advanced to face Italy in the World Cup play-off final after eliminating Wales.
- Wales begin Nations League A action against Portugal in Lisbon on 24 September 2026.
- Craig Bellamy remains Wales manager after a proposed move to Burnley collapsed this summer.
