´This is football at its best´ – Belgium and Wales excited for ´high-stakes´ qualifier

Belgium boss Rudi Garcia believes his side’s World Cup qualifier against Wales will prove to be “football at its best”.

The Red Devils were held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by North Macedonia on Friday, leaving them one point behind the Group J leaders, though they have a game in hand.

As such, Belgium are second in the group, but if they were to lose to Wales, who are one point behind them, on Monday, their qualification hopes would be out of their hands in the November break.

Belgium have previously won six of their nine World Cup qualifying matches against Wales (D2 L1), while they are unbeaten in their last five outings against them in all competitions (W3 D2).

And Garcia enjoys the high-stakes nature of their clash in Cardiff, saying he expects his side to show their determination to claim all three points.

“I can’t predict the score, nor whether there will be goals, but our only objective is to win, even if, to be honest, a draw wouldn’t be the worst result,” Garcia said.

“These are the games you dream of as a player or coach – high stakes, an electric atmosphere and fans who live every pass. This is football at its best.

“We are ready to absorb the energy and give it our all. Honestly, it’s better than playing in ghost stadiums or against nothing any day.”

Back at it Monday. pic.twitter.com/nb6TFtSU9g

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) October 11, 2025

Wales, however, will also be determined to put their World Cup qualification hopes into their own hands on Monday, as they too have three games remaining.

They come into this game on the back of a humbling 3-0 friendly loss to England on Thursday, a defeat which left Craig Bellamy disappointed.

And Wales have lost just one of their last 14 World Cup qualifiers at home (W9 D4). They have won the last four in a row but have never previously triumphed in five on the bounce.

Wales have not beaten Belgium since their famous Euro 2016 quarter-final victory, but Bellamy insists his side are not intimidated by the task ahead of them.

“I believe there’s always a special moment coming,” he said.

“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.

“You just have to embrace it. Embrace it and enjoy it. We’re home, full stadium, just enjoy every second of it.

“This is exactly the opportunity you want. I’m prepared if we win, I’m prepared if we draw, I’m prepared if we lose. Consistency.

“From my experience of football and coaching in the short term, expect the unexpected because anything can happen.”