The Leeds United star will be a key figure against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday night and insists the experience of others who have been this way before could prove decisive.
Around a dozen members of the current squad remain from the Wales group that edged past Austria and then Ukraine to reach the 2022 World Cup, and Ampadu is one of them.
Four years ago, Wales were heavily reliant on the extraordinary talent of Gareth Bale at set-pieces, but their former inspiration is long retired.
Ampadu, now 25, is no longer the youngest voice in the dressing room, but part of a core that understands exactly what is required on nights like Thursday in Cardiff.
That know-how, he believes, could make all the difference and take Wales into a play-off final against either Italy or Northern Ireland four days later.
“We've been in situations like this before - with both positive and negative outcomes - but hopefully we can use everything possible from our last World Cup play-off experience to help the players who might not have been in that situation,” says Ampadu.
“Those matches are in the past and this something fresh for us all to be involved in, but hopefully we can make it a great night.”
READ MORE: Wales Foursome Have FA Cup, World Cup, and Survival Scrap on Their Mind
While the memories of that dramatic 1-0 play-off final victory over Ukraine still linger, Ampadu is clear that this is a new challenge—even if the lessons learned remain invaluable.
“It was a difficult game. Ukraine were very good. It feels like a blur. I probably remember more the celebrations afterwards than the actual game itself.
“What you saw was two teams giving everything they could to go to the World Cup and we were on the right side of winning that game. We just want to do that again and get the fans excited.”
Back then, much of the burden fell on Bale to produce decisive moments. This time, Ampadu feels Wales carry a broader range of threats.
“You knew Gareth could always do something in a moment. But if you look at this campaign, we've had other players show their excellent quality and individual brilliance during games.
“It's all about us sticking together - staff, players, fans all being one.”
That collective approach will be crucial against a Bosnia side Ampadu rates highly, even as Wales look to make home advantage count.
“It could be a massive week, but first all our only focus is Thursday. We know Bosnia are a very good team.
“They have a lot of good quality but we need to impose ourselves.
READ MORE: Joe Rodon Backs Ethan Ampadu to Thrive as Wales Captain After Ben Davies Blow
“Since the manager's come in he's given us the confidence that we can go out and perform to our capabilities and play our best football.”
The sense of occasion will be heightened by the setting, with a capacity crowd expected to generate the kind of atmosphere that has become synonymous with big nights in Cardiff.
“It's massive. I was fortunate to be involved in the last play-offs and you know how amazing the crowd is, whether it's a friendly or a play-off for the World Cup,” adds Ampadu.
“When that Red Wall is behind us, no matter what, we know it's going to be massive and the motto 'Together Stronger' is going to be in abundance for this game. We want to make it a good night for everyone.”
Ampadu’s own journey adds another layer to his perspective. Having broken into the Wales squad as a teenager in 2017, he is now one of the more experienced figures, helping guide a new generation through the pressures of knockout football.
“As a young player coming in to experience the culture and environment it was quite easy because everyone looked after me.
“It’s an environment where you can feel the confidence and how the squad is, players and staff.
“That gives you the confidence to go out and deliver on the pitch. I had a taste of what that was like when I first came into the squad and we want to do the same for all the young guys now.”
There is also unfinished business. Wales’ appearance at the 2022 World Cup ended in disappointment - with one draw and two defeats meaning an exit at the group stages - something Ampadu admits still lingers.
“You can say maybe that we let ourselves down, because we didn't play to the levels that we know we can and we could have.
“But that's gone. It would mean everything to us now because when you take yourself back to being a kid and you're watching the World Cups, you always wanted to play in them.
“To get the chance to do it once was amazing, and to get another one would be even more special.”
For now, though, the focus is fixed firmly on Bosnia. The prize—a place one step closer to another World Cup—is significant, but Ampadu insists Wales cannot afford to look beyond the immediate task.
“There is a massive prize ahead of us, but there is no point thinking about that yet because we have a massive game on Thursday that we have to get through first.”
