Craig Bellamy has affirmed his dedication to remaining as Wales head coach, calling it the best job in the world. Despite Wales suffering a heartbreaking exit from World Cup qualification last Thursday, where they lost their play-off semi-final to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties, Bellamy remains focused on the future.

Appointed in July 2024, Bellamy's contract runs until 2028, yet he has faced speculation linking him to clubs such as Celtic. Nevertheless, the 46-year-old aims to lead Wales at Euro 2028, which they will co-host alongside England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland.

Reflecting on the recent defeat, Bellamy expressed, "The heartbreak is actually more than I anticipated, but the energy to refocus and go again is definitely still there."

In light of the loss, Wales will not compete in the play-off final against Italy but instead will host Northern Ireland in a friendly match at Cardiff City Stadium. This match comes with its own challenges; Wales will be missing midfielders Jordan James and Rubin Colwill due to injuries, while Leeds United winger Daniel James is also a fitness concern. Northern Ireland faces its own issues with the withdrawals of Ali McCann, Ruairi McConville, Paddy McNair, and Bailey Peacock-Farrell.

Despite the disappointment surrounding the friendly match, Bellamy urges his team to move past their World Cup heartache and perform well against opponents ranked 35 places lower. He stated, "It has really hurt. I have to be honest, it's hurt more than I anticipated. When you see them [Wales players] hurting so much, that hurts more."

Looking ahead, he emphasized the importance of learning from past experiences and maintaining motivation as they prepare for their upcoming game.