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Ben Davies admits the disappointment of Wales’ exit at the 2022 World Cup took some time to get over but the defender insists the team is more motivated than ever ahead of their qualifier against Kazakhstan.
Wales were eliminated from the tournament in Qatar at the group stage without picking up a victory in what was their first appearance at a World Cup finals in 64 years.
The Dragons begin their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup on Saturday as they welcome Kazakhstan to the Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales are unbeaten under new manager Craig Bellamy and will be full of confidence after securing promotion in the Nations League back in November.
Last time out in the capital 😍@HarryWilson_ 🤌 pic.twitter.com/gXxsW7txOL
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
Davies will captain the side in the absence of the injured Aaron Ramsey and, despite the team’s strong recent form, the defender was candid in his assessment of their showing two years ago.
“It’s something that sticks with me and I’m sure it sticks with a lot of the other guys,” Davies said.
“The best moment of Qatar for us was probably the Ukraine [play-off] game getting there. It was disappointing out there and is something that was tough to get over for a while.
“We didn’t really show on the world stage how good we are or how good we can be. So that hunger to go and do it again is still there.”
Alongside their opponents on Saturday, Wales have been drawn in a qualifying group with Liechtenstein, North Macedonia and Belgium.
And while on paper there are likely to be sterner tests in wait for Davies and co. than Kazakhstan, the Tottenham player believes there is no such thing as a forgone conclusion in international football.
Davies said: “Every game now at international level is going to be a tough game. We are aware that the expectation [to win] is there but it’s not something that we as a group have to pay any attention to.
“It’ll be a tough game against an opponent who will make it very difficult for us and will be fighting for every ball.”
DIWRNOD Y GÊM 🏴🇰🇿
The start of our @FIFAWorldCup qualifying journey! 👊 pic.twitter.com/wTRcbyyjts
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) March 22, 2025
The game will also mark Bellamy’s first major tournament qualification game as manager.
The 45-year-old, who earned 78 caps for Wales as a player, has overseen three wins and three draws in his first six games in charge – the best start of any Wales manager.
And Davies believes the squad is reaping the rewards of Bellamy’s coaching talents.
“I feel like I’m learning things all the time,” Davies said about playing under Bellamy.
“The level of detail on the training pitch and in meeting rooms is second to none. The biggest compliment I can give him [Bellamy] is that every player in this squad is feeling like they are becoming better.”
Wales take on Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 19:45 UK time.