BELLAMY SAYS WALES FACE TOUGH NATIONS LEAGUE RETURN TO TOP TIER

Craig Bellamy described Wales' opening four fixtures in their return to League A of the Nations League as "tough", after the side lost three of the four games. Wales were beaten by Portugal and twice by Denmark, either side of a win over Norway, during the two-match international window. Rasmus Hojlund scored the only goal from the penalty spot as Denmark secured the most recent victory. Despite the results, Wales retain control of their own fate over qualification for League A and a potential seeding boost for Euro 2028 heading into next month's final two fixtures.

Bellamy said the new four-game international window format made "no sense" and suited larger footballing nations, some of which, including Jurgen Klopp's Germany, named two separate squads to cope with the schedule. He said the extended block of fixtures left less time for his coaching staff to work with players on the training pitch once travel and recovery between matches were accounted for. Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon were both ruled unfit before the window began, which Bellamy suggested showed the increased risk of the longer format, since an injury to a key player now rules them out of four matches rather than two. Midfielder Jordan James said the team appeared "a little bit flat" and lacked intensity following a promising start against Denmark.

Wales must negotiate their remaining two fixtures next month to preserve their League A status and keep alive the possibility of improved seeding for Euro 2028 qualifying. Bellamy's comments point to concerns about squad depth and preparation time under the revised Nations League schedule. No date or opponents for the final fixtures were given in the reported material.