Wales v Belgium live: Craig Bellamy’s side face crunch World Cup 2026 qualifier in Cardiff

Will the real Brennan Johnson stand up for Wales? Johnson scored 18 goals for Tottenham last season and his Europa League final winner went into Spurs folklore.

But Wales fans have often grumbled about Johnson’s performances on the international stage, insisting the winger should be having more of an impact.

Johnson has not started for Spurs in the Premier League since the end of August and was lethargic at Wembley, being completely outplayed by Tottenham teammate Djed Spence.

Wales XI: Darlow; Williams, Rodon, Cabango, Davies; Ampadu, James; Brooks, Wilson, Thomas; Harris.

Belgium XI: Courtois; Meunier, Theate, Debast, De Cuyper; Raskin, Onana; Doku, De Bruyne, Trossard; De Ketelaere.

We’re not far away from learning tonight’s team news for the clash in Cardiff.

Skipper Ben Davies will win his 100th cap against Belgium, becoming the fourth Welshman to reach three figures after Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey.

Davies has been an outstanding servant for Welsh football and has Bale’s 111-cap record firmly in his sights and has been an outstanding servant for Welsh football.

The Tottenham defender made his debut in 2012 and has been a model of consistency since, either at centre-back or left-back, playing in two European Championships and a World Cup.

Wales have been punished for starting really slowly in their last two matches against top-class opposition.

In June, they found themselves 3-0 down away to Belgium after 27 minutes. Wales levelled in incredible fashion in Brussels, only to be denied by a late Kevin De Bruyne winner.

There was no dramatic fightback after Wales conceded three times in the opening 20 minutes against England at Wembley on Thursday, and boss Craig Bellamy knows his side must be out of the blocks quickly this time.

Belgium’s failure to beat North Macedonia in Ghent put Wales’ World Cup destiny back in their own hands.

North Macedonia remain top of the group – one point clear of Belgium and two above Wales – but have played a game more than their rivals.

Wales finish the campaign with home fixtures against Belgium and North Macedonia and a trip to bottom-placed Liechtenstein, and three wins will see them at the World Cup next summer.

Wales are virtually guaranteed a play-off spot in March following their Nations League results last year.

Wales completed a good day of training at the Vale Resort in Hensol yesterday ahead of the clash with Belgium

Ethan Ampadu insisted “bruised” Wales will recover from their Wembley defeat and bounce back for tonight’s massive World Cup qualifier against Belgium.

Wales must beat Belgium to retain hopes of finishing top of their qualification group and reaching next summer’s finals automatically, although their strong Nations League showing last year almost certainly guarantees them a play-off spot in March.

Asked if morale had been damaged by the 3-0 loss to England, Leeds midfielder Ampadu said: “Maybe naturally in the moment, because we’re all professionals.

“We came here with the highest expectations of ourselves. We wanted to put on a better performance and show what we can do, what we’ve been practising and what we’re capable of.

“But whether we like it or not, we have to go again [tonight] and we know how big it is.

“So whether the morale’s gone or the ego is a little bit bruised we have to pick ourselves up as a team, which we will do. We’ve already spoken about that. It’s time to go again.”

Craig Bellamy defended his choice to play England after Wales were brushed aside 3-0 at Wembley but admitted he “got his a*** kicked”.

Many Wales fans had questioned this ‘Battle of Britain’ friendly fixture just four days before their vital World Cup qualifier against Belgium but Bellamy insisted Wales would gain more than lose from a sobering Wembley night when they trailed by three goals inside 20 minutes.

“I wanted this game, I needed to see where we are,” Bellamy said. “I can play Lithuania or someone if you want – and that’s no disrespect to them – but we’ll have loads of the ball and try to break them down.

“Where do we want to go? Who do we want to be? Even now that fills me more with motivation, more hunger.

“That physical profile, speed, duels (of the England players), that’s where you want our players to be. I want them to feel that.

“This is where we want to be, but we know we have to play at the top to be up against these teams. I want our egos to be hurt, I like us to be annoyed.

“You don’t go anywhere being damaged. Once you get your a*** kicked you learn the most, and I got my a*** kicked.”

It wasn’t the best of evenings for Wales on Thursday as they were beaten 3-0 by bitter rivals England at Wembley.

That extended a losing streak against their near-neighbours that stretches all the way back to 1984.

Here’s Jack Rathborn’s report from Wembley: