Wales coach Bellamy says the atmosphere inside a sold-out Cardiff City Stadium can be the decisive factor when his side host Belgium on Monday, in what promises to be another emotionally charged night in the capital.
“It’s everything,” said Bellamy. “Do you want to go to America? So do I. Give everything we’ve got to get there.
“I’m quite positive. I have the feeling this team can go a lot further. That leaves you excited. I believe there’s always a special moment coming.
“Players have been in this situation so many times over the last 10 years, especially Cardiff nights.
“When we’ve managed to qualify it’s been here. The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.”
Wales will need all the energy their home support can offer.
Thursday’s 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley had dampened spirits, but within 24 hours the mood had changed entirely.
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Belgium — the group favourites — were unexpectedly held to a 0-0 draw by North Macedonia in Ghent, a result that has handed Wales renewed hope.
It means the path to qualification is once again in their own hands.
Wins in their three remaining games — against Belgium and then away to Liechtenstein and home to North Macedonia next month — would see Bellamy’s side top Group J and qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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While the Wales boss was quick to stress that beating Belgium would not guarantee a top-two finish, he admitted that Cardiff’s unique atmosphere has been a constant backdrop to Welsh football’s greatest moments over the past decade.
The Cardiff City Stadium has staged some of the most iconic Wales matches in recent history, including that unforgettable 1-0 win over Belgium in 2015 when Gareth Bale’s goal lit the spark that would carry Chris Coleman’s side all the way to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
Bellamy hopes his players can tap into that same emotion again.
The visitors, however, are unlikely to be overawed. Belgium remain a formidable side despite their stumble against North Macedonia.
They beat Wales 4-3 in Brussels in June, a game that still rankles with Bellamy, who watched his team mount a stirring comeback from 3-0 down before succumbing to a late Kevin De Bruyne goal.
Wales struggled that night to contain Belgium’s rapid winger Jeremy Doku — a player Bellamy knows better than most, having coached him during his spell as Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Anderlecht.
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Asked how he planned to stop Doku this time, Bellamy could only laugh.
“Yeah, we’re going to try and put about five players on him if we can! Leave (Leandro) Trossard because he’s not very good. Let him go on his own!
“No, they’ve got too much. But I do understand. Jeremy’s incredible. He could lose you in a phone box.”
Beyond tactics, Bellamy believes belief — fuelled by the noise of the Cardiff crowd — will be vital.
The head coach has repeatedly spoken about the psychological edge his players feel when backed by the Red Wall, and he expects that bond between team and supporters to be stronger than ever on Monday.
“Players have been in this situation so many times over the last 10 years,” he said.
“When we’ve managed to qualify it’s been here. The crowd is used to this environment and these moments.”
One player certain to relish that atmosphere is captain Ben Davies, who will make history by becoming just the fourth Welshman to reach 100 international caps — joining Gareth Bale, Chris Gunter and Wayne Hennessey in an elite club.
“It’s a special moment that I’ve probably dreamed about,” said Davies.
“Growing up I’d have been happy to have just one cap and it’s an incredible feeling to be able to achieve milestones.”
The 32-year-old defender, who made his debut in 2012, has been a cornerstone of Wales’s golden era, helping the nation reach the Euro 2016 semi-finals, qualify again for Euro 2020, and appear at the 2022 World Cup.
Bellamy, who has known Davies for 15 years, paid a glowing tribute to both the player and the person.
“I watched the game back against Canada (in September) and he was so good,” Bellamy said.
“He was just amazing – every part of his game. As good as I’ve ever seen him play for Wales, that was my feeling.
“We can all agree that he’s been a top player. But we are all very impressed with him as an individual, as a person.
“You can see when he does interviews. He’s very impressive. He will be a top manager if he wants to be. Or he could become a director of football, or a CEO.
“He’s that level and beyond impressive as a person. His level of consistency – and his consistency of being available – is a credit to him.”
With 33,000 fans behind them and qualification hopes reignited, Bellamy’s belief in his team is about to be put to the test once more — under the Cardiff lights, where Welsh dreams have come true before.
