Bellamy criticises new four-match schedule after Wales lose 1-0 to Denmark
Craig Bellamy's Wales were beaten 1-0 by Denmark at the Cardiff City Stadium in a Nations League match on Sunday, a result Bellamy blamed on the new four-match international window. The only goal came from a second-half Rasmus Hojlund penalty.
Wales have won one of their eight matches in 2026 and the Denmark defeat was their third loss in four games played inside 10 days as part of the newly elongated international break. Traditionally, international sides played six games across three windows — each featuring two fixtures in September, October and November — but for the first time this year the September and October breaks were merged. Wales have three points from their first four games in this Nations League campaign.
Bellamy suggested the heavier workload favours the bigger nations and said his injury-hit squad paid the price, adding that the schedule "puts a real stress" on countries like Wales. He said: "Physically, I completely agree with the ones who don't like [the new window]. It makes no sense." He also complained about the voting that produced the change, saying: "Four games at this type of level… for the other nations, we know who they are because I was in the room when they all voted for it. I was one of the ones who wasn't [voting for it], because we know it's a complete disadvantage to us."
Bellamy outlined the impact on his available personnel, listing players who missed the camp and those who had withdrawn from selection. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson missed the entire camp, David Brooks dropped out of the squad after the opening defeat by Portugal, Dan James was not fit enough to play and was left on the bench, and Bellamy acknowledged Ben Davies probably should have been rested after he was withdrawn late on. He warned of the consequences when injuries accumulate: "If we have a few injuries, which we had more than one or two, they miss four games," and added: "We can deal with two, do you understand? And then the squad will get really tested. The intensity of the squad, the athleticism, really I think [the four-game break] is designed for the elites."
On the field, Wales rarely looked like scoring and Denmark came close on several occasions before Hjolund's 75th-minute winner from the spot. Danny Ward made fine saves from Hojlund and Gustav Isaksen to keep Wales level but his error and subsequent foul led to the penalty. Bellamy defended Ward's overall contribution, saying: "Obviously it's the decisive moment, but he made two incredible saves before that." He added: "On Thursday [against Norway] we were on the front foot so we're able to shorten distance. Today, we just couldn't work it well enough, couldn't get the energy up enough to be able to have a bigger say in the game." He also said: "I thought Denmark with the physicality were able to just crank it a little bit. You see their runs are really menacing, so I felt they were knocking on the door. He did incredibly well to keep it 0-0 to that time."
Wales moved up to third in Nations League Group A4 on head-to-head record against Norway after the Norwegians were beaten 2-1 in Portugal. The side travel to face Norway in Oslo next month before finishing the campaign with a home game against Portugal three days later.
