Wales must learn from Bosnia loss in Euros bid – Rush
Wales failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after a March penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, and have endured a difficult year with four consecutive matches without a win. The national team now prepares for qualifying rounds toward Euro 2028, which will take place in Wales, facing a demanding Nations League campaign featuring three away fixtures against Portugal, Norway, and Denmark before October home matches.
Welsh football legend Ian Rush has expressed confidence in manager Craig Bellamy's ability to turn the team's fortunes around, noting that the Bosnia loss represents a missed opportunity that should motivate the squad. Despite acknowledging the competitive strength of upcoming opponents, Rush pointed to promising developments including recent player transfers to top clubs and the emergence of young talent as reasons for optimism about Wales' prospects.
- Wales lost a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 2026 World Cup play-offs and are winless in four matches; they aim to qualify for Euro 2028 on home soil
- Ian Rush believes manager Craig Bellamy and the squad can succeed, with challenging Nations League fixtures against Portugal, Norway, and Denmark to come
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Wales are gearing up for the Nations League after missing out on the 2026 World Cup, having lost a penalty shootout to Bosnia and Herzegovina back in March. That defeat, followed by a run of four winless matches, has left the team looking to rebuild form ahead of qualifying for Euro 2028, a tournament Wales will host.
The upcoming Nations League fixtures matter because they double as early preparation for that home tournament. Wales face three tough away games against Portugal, Norway and Denmark before returning home in October, a schedule seen as a real test of where the squad currently stands.
Ian Rush, one of Wales' most celebrated former players, and Craig Bellamy, the current manager, are central figures in this rebuilding effort. Rush has spoken about learning from the Bosnia setback and has pointed to encouraging signs, such as young players progressing and others moving to bigger clubs, as grounds for cautious optimism about Wales' prospects.