Wales manager Craig Bellamy has revealed he has introduced a number of new rules since taking charge of the national team – with some inspiration coming from one of his favourite movies, The Karate Kid.
Bellamy – who team go back into World Cup qualification combat this week – has stressed that playing for the national team comes with standards and there are no exceptions.
From banning alcohol in camp to refusing shirt swaps with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bellamy says he has built his still unbeaten squad around discipline, unity, and pride in the red jersey.
Since taking charge in July, Bellamy has overseen an eight-game run of no losses, with a strong start to Wales’ World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign.
But more than results, the former Premier League striker is focused on the mentality behind the scenes.
“Have you ever watched The Karate Kid?” he asked.
“Does he do karate straight away? No – it’s Mr. Miyagi who decides. It’s wax on, wax off. He paints the fence. He teaches him all these types of rules before he can do karate, so that he has the disciplines. It’s about basics, habits.”
That philosophy is reflected in everything from the team’s dining schedules to their style of play.
While Bellamy allows flexibility in areas like bedtimes — “You're a good pro. I don't need to tell you what time to go to bed” — other expectations are non-negotiable.
“No-one drinks on camp. We don't drink. We are completely dry. That’s the culture that's been here from the last 12, or 13 years. I completely agree with it and we stick to that.”
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The emphasis on responsibility is evident in his delegation style.
The captain leads decisions on logistics, backed by a core leadership group. Bellamy says that model is designed to strengthen accountability and self-management.
“There is a committee of four or five players who decide what they're doing, what makes them better and want to help them,” he said. “But I don't babysit... There's no big confusion or anything.”
On the pitch, the message is equally clear. Wales play with relentless energy — and everyone is expected to contribute.
“We do it as a group. We work hard as a group. One chases, then two chases, three chases, then four chases, five chases. We are not here to allow any individual off. You cannot break this chain. To play for Wales, this is how it is. This is how you need to be. High intensity, agility.”
And for those unwilling to buy into that identity?
“If you cannot react once you've lost the ball, if you don't work back in recovery runs, then I'm the wrong coach. This is the wrong nation for you.”
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Wales next face Liechtenstein in Cardiff before travelling to Brussels to meet Belgium — their toughest test in Group J.
But under Bellamy’s uncompromising leadership, Wales no longer see themselves as underdogs.
“Small footballing nations don’t expect to qualify for World Cups, and we do,” Bellamy said.
As for shirt swaps after matches, he added: “The only time you give it up is when you lose your place and someone else takes it, but you’ve left it in a good place.
“That’s a no-brainer to me and I believe the players love that as well. Our shirt is the most important shirt in football. We don’t give that away, you can’t give it away.”
Asked whether that principle applied even when facing world-class players like Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, Bellamy didn’t hesitate: “I don’t think it is even worth having a conversation about.
“I don’t need to answer that question. It’s not going to happen. If I’m an aspiring young player then I want that (Wales) shirt. I see ours as the most important shirt, nobody else’s.”
