Wrexham’s Moore sends Wales top of WCQ group
Wales secured a vital 1-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying Group J fixture on Thursday, propelled by a decisive goal from Wrexham striker Kieffer Moore. The goal, scored in the 24th minute, marked Moore’s 15th international tally and his 50th cap for Wales, drawing him level with Welsh legend John Charles. This narrow win places Wales at the summit of their group with 10 points from five matches.
Despite a clear FIFA ranking advantage—Wales sits 83 places above Kazakhstan—the visitors faced a challenging encounter on the artificial Astana Arena surface in Kazakhstan’s capital. The Welsh side dominated early possession and created several chances before Moore capitalized on a rebound from a header by Josh Cullen off Harry Wilson’s free kick. Kazakhstan responded with spirited second-half pressure, notably hitting the crossbar twice and forcing goalkeeper Karl Darlow into several key saves, underscoring the hard-fought nature of the win.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy acknowledged the difficulty of the match and the hostile conditions, stating, “Kazakhstan is a very hard place to come; it has been for British national teams and clubs.” He praised his team’s resilience, saying, “We had to dig in. You have to do that in qualifiers and we were able to do that.” Bellamy made tactical changes in the second half, bringing on Daniel James and Mark Harris to consolidate the lead.
Moore’s contribution was especially significant given his recent prolific form for club and country, reinforcing his role as a key focal point in Wales’ attack with his composure and clinical finishing inside the box. The inclusion of debutant Dylan Lawlor in defense, due to Joe Rodon’s late injury withdrawal, highlighted Bellamy’s trust in emerging talent while maintaining defensive stability.
This result lifts Wales above North Macedonia, who sit two points behind with a game in hand, and places them in a strong position to qualify for the World Cup finals in North America next year. The victory underscores Wales’ strategic emphasis on a balanced approach combining experienced leadership with emerging talent, aiming to navigate a competitive qualifying group.
For Moore, the win not only cements his legacy alongside Welsh football greats but also affirms his critical importance to Wales’ World Cup ambitions. For the national team, the result represents a pivotal step toward securing a berth on football’s biggest stage.
This victory highlights Wales’ ability to sustain competitive performance under challenging conditions and reflects the manager’s strategy to blend solid defensive organization with efficient attacking execution, a formula that could prove decisive throughout the remainder of the qualification campaign.