It wasn’t supposed to end like that. Wales were certainly confident of reaching the World Cup play-off final on Tuesday, with most expecting a showdown with Italy.
Despite Italy’s illustrious World Cup past, this was a team that looked like Craig Bellamy’s side could beat.
But that’s not the case. Despite the heartbreak of the penalty shoot-out, and no matter how much they practice, there is still a ‘lottery’ aspect to the spot-kick, but once that dreadful feeling subsides, Wales may look back on that game and think it was a game they could not have won, but should have won.
Wales was better.
From possession to shots on target to attacking movement, this is evident when you look at the stats.
The match was decided at 1-0.
Of course, Bosnia would change their set-up and go for it, and they had to because they were so close to being eliminated, but Wales still had Bosnia at their disposal. A second Wales goal would have ended the game.
Bellamy was completely honest in admitting that Wales’ performance in the final 20 minutes was the Achilles heel of an otherwise very good performance. Oh, if possible.
What are the implications if Wales miss out on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup?
First and foremost, it’s a loss for the players and supporters who dreamed of attending or watching at least three World Cup games in Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Wales’ Neco Williams reacts after missing a penalty in the shootout
For the players who participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, there was unfinished business as it felt like the team wasn’t giving them the credit they deserved for their performance.
For fans, there will be no more scrambling for weeks to come to find tickets, hotels and flights, even if the playoff finals are still going well. Still, for many, it may be a slight sigh of relief that they no longer have to pay exorbitant amounts of money to watch their heroes compete in North America.
While we are talking about finances, missing out on the World Cup is a huge blow for Wales and the FAW.
While not a crushing blow, the funds Wales were able to generate would have been very welcome as the FAW continues to invest heavily in grassroots football for everyone.
The number of women and men playing football is steadily increasing, and while the impact of the Welsh women’s team qualifying and playing in the Euro 2025 tournament in Switzerland last summer is still being felt positively, the success of the men’s team over the past decade has changed the way, shape and attitude towards the organization and number of people playing football in Wales.
Compared to 15 years ago, the landscape is now almost unrecognizable.
So until the day exactly two years ago when Wales lost on penalties to Poland, missing out on qualification for a major tournament was a terrible moment – yet another penalty shootout – but a lot of good has happened in recent years. Either writhe in pity, or just keep calm and carry on.
Euro 2028 will always take place, with Wales hosting the opening match and five other matches.
Returning to players, some of Wales’ best players may no longer have the chance to play in the World Cup. The decision to retire comes to every soccer player. Decisions about the future will probably not be made now, but in the not too distant future.
As for Bellamy, most, if not all, Wales supporters will be keen to see him remain head coach.
Bellamy attracted the attention of many admirers in his first role as a protagonist. The player who has attracted the most attention from him is Celtic, who showed an interest in taking over in Glasgow late last year.
Despite the fact that he won’t be leading Wales to the 2026 World Cup, his stock is high because of the style he brings to the table: intense, front-footed, exciting, attacking football that has seen success.
Bellamy has a group of mostly established players in the Premier League, as well as some young players whose profile and potential he likes, leading to a positive outlook for the future.
“It was really our goal to get to two World Cups in a row and it hurts even more to see the players so disappointed knowing we haven’t gotten there.
“The sun is going to rise, and I’m going to watch that sun rise. So right away, how do I get back? How can I get better? How can this team get better? Let’s get through tonight. But there’s a bright future. If I play… As a group of players, we’ve got the Nations League coming up, the Euros coming up in our country, so it’s not a bad time to be a Welsh footballer.
Wales’ Harry Wilson (centre left) and his teammates’ reactions after losing in the penalty shootout
And while there is little consolation after the emotional push and pull of losing to Bosnia on penalties, there is another big tournament on the horizon: Euro 2028.
Wales is one of the host nations with lots to look forward to on and off the pitch.
Although being the host nation does not guarantee automatic qualification to Euro 2028 this time around, the process by which Wales qualify and several secondary routes means it is highly unlikely that Wales will not be part of their country at Euro 2028.
