What Wales need to stop World Cup woe hitting Euros hopes

Ethan Ampadu played at the 2022 World Cup with Wales [Getty Images] Missing out on the World Cup hurt Craig Bellamy more than he expected. The pain will last for a little while yet, especially when watching other nations enjoy themselves on the biggest stage this summer. The Wales head coach and fans alike have little choice but to aim for the next major finals.

That just so happens to be a home European Championships, with Wales co-hosting the 2028 tournament with England, Republic of Ireland and Scotland. So, what needs to happen to avoid such hurt next time around? And what do Wales need to get right to make sure they don't suffer more qualifying heartbreak?

What next for Bellamy and Wales after World Cup agony? Angry Wales boss Bellamy shows his new old self Nations League survival Avoiding the play-offs would help. Wales have missed out via this route in successive qualification campaigns, both times on penalties.

A favourable draw would also be welcome, though Wales would need to climb up the seedings to help with that. Staying in Nations League A would be a huge driver in making that happen, although that will be easier said than done when they come to this autumn's games against holders Portugal, a resurgent Norway and a Denmark side who suffered their own play-off heartbreak on penalties to Czech Republic. Learn from mistakes The Nations League campaign - with six games in two months starting in September - will be a big early marker in how much Bellamy and his side have learned from the World Cup disappointment.