Bellamy insists Wales deserve Nations League A place after Denmark defeat

Craig Bellamy said Wales belong in the Nations League top tier after his side suffered a 2-0 defeat in Denmark in September 2026, three days after a 1-0 loss to Portugal in Lisbon. The results leave Wales without a point in their group as they prepare to face Norway next.

Wales have not won in six matches in 2026 and, when combined with their 2022 results, have failed to win any of their eight matches in League A. Bellamy, who gained promotion from League B in his first campaign as manager, maintained Wales have earned the right to compete against Europe's top teams as they ready for Erling Haaland's Norway.

Bellamy warned of the quality Norway bring, saying: "For us, this [Norway game] is another one, the intensity, top players, real speed," Bellamy added. "It's what group A is, up and down all the group As. When we were in the pot, we were in pot four and we thought, 'where do you want to be?'. "They're all brilliant, but we've earned the right to be here."

A run of recent and past League A results underlines Wales' struggles: September 2026: Denmark 2-0 Wales; September 2026: Portugal 1-0 Wales; September 2022: Wales 0-1 Poland; September 2022: Belgium 2-1 Wales; June 2022: Netherlands 3-2 Wales; June 2022: Wales 1-1 Belgium; June 2022: Wales 1-2 Netherlands; June 2022: Poland 2-1 Wales.

Bellamy also commented on Norway's development, saying: "They get to the quarter-finals in the World Cup and you're really on a surge at the present moment," Bellamy said of Norway. "You've built it in your nation for a number of years, you have two clubs in the Champions League. "This is a real surge now and I don't think it's going away. "How rich your country is, it's really spending the money in certain areas and in sport, I expect you to be a force for a number of years."

While Bellamy was unbeaten in his first nine games after taking charge in July 2024, North Macedonia remain the highest-ranked side - 65th - he has got the better of as Wales manager. Former Wales international Nia Jones told the Feast of Football podcast: "I still want Craig Bellamy to be our manager, but I think there's an element of a new manager bounce when he first came in, there was an excitement and a freedom. "Sometimes the novelty wears off and expectations from opponents and fans go up, and I feel we've plateaued." Ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake added: "When Craig took over, that first game against Turkey, the football was fantastic," said ex-Wales striker Nathan Blake. "I remember our fans were like 'wow, this is pretty, it's totally changed'. Everything was front-footed. "Maybe the problem is because we were so good, on the front foot and the pressing was on point and catching teams off guard, maybe teams know what we're going to do."

Denmark's win over Wales was described by their manager as easing pressure on his own position, and he praised Bellamy's record. "He [Bellamy] has done a tremendous job," said Riemer. "He's also under a bit of pressure when it comes to injuries, a bit like us, and that gives him some headaches I imagine. "We have the utmost respect for Wales, they went through the B group without losing a game and were unlucky for the World Cup, they only went out on penalties. "It is a team that has given a lot of teams problems. To go to Portugal and lose with just one is not something you should feel miserable about. We expect a very difficult game in Cardiff."

Wales return to action at Cardiff City Stadium to face Norway on Thursday, 1 October, 19:45 BST (live on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary), with a rematch against Denmark three days later.