Bellamy criticises new international schedule after Wales' loss to Denmark

Wales manager Craig Bellamy voiced frustration with the newly restructured international schedule following his side's narrow defeat to Denmark.

Under the traditional format, national teams played six matches across three separate two-game windows in September, October and November. This year marked the first time the September and October windows were combined into a single four-match block.

Injury toll

Wales' preparations were hampered by a wave of injuries. Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Harry Wilson all missed the entire camp, while David Brooks withdrew from the squad after the opening defeat to Portugal. Bellamy said Dan James was not fit enough to feature against Denmark and remained on the bench, and he acknowledged that Ben Davies, who was substituted late in the match, probably should have been given a rest as well.

Bellamy explained that while a squad can absorb one or two injuries, a longer list means missing out on four matches rather than two, placing extra strain on the group. He suggested the expanded format was designed with elite squads in mind — teams deep enough to rotate players like-for-like and maintain intensity across matches played in quick succession.

Match details

Wales rarely threatened Denmark's goal during the match, while the hosts survived several close calls before Rasmus Hojlund scored the winning goal in the 75th minute. Bellamy noted that, unlike Thursday's front-footed performance against Norway, Wales struggled to generate the energy needed to exert control over the game against Denmark.

Goalkeeper Danny Ward made two outstanding saves to deny Hojlund and Gustav Isaksen, but a mistake and foul by Ward led to the penalty that ultimately decided the match. Bellamy described it as the decisive moment but praised Ward's overall performance, noting the physicality of Denmark's attacking runs.

Despite the loss, Wales moved up to third place in Nations League Group A4 thanks to their head-to-head record against Norway, who lost 2-1 to Portugal. Wales will next face Norway in Oslo, before closing out the campaign with a home fixture against Portugal three days later.