**Craig Bellamy Spotlights Emerging Cardiff City Talents in Wales Training Squad, Raising Eyebrows with Key Omissions**
Craig Bellamy, recently appointed as Wales national football team head coach, has showcased his commitment to the future by inviting four rising Cardiff City stars to participate in upcoming senior training camps—both at home and in Spain. This move comes as the national side intensifies preparations for June’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Liechtenstein and Belgium.
The squad announcement has made headlines, not only for its inclusion of promising newcomers but also for the conspicuous absence of several established names. In the 29-man preliminary training squad, Bellamy has given the nod to Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, and Luey Giles—all of whom have made significant strides in their club careers over the past season.
Ashford, 20, was close to breaking into the senior Wales set-up during the last international break, thanks to an impressive spell for Cardiff on either side of the new year. This earned him the club’s Young Player of the Season award and the expectation is that he will continue to progress next term, following Cardiff’s drop into League One.
Dylan Lawlor, aged 19, is another defender who has shown composure beyond his years. Having faced high-profile opposition—including the likes of Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford—during his debut FA Cup match against Aston Villa, Lawlor’s performances have not gone unnoticed. He also saw more playing time towards the end of Cardiff’s campaign and has captained Wales at youth level—a clear sign of his leadership potential.
Ronan Kpakio, just 17, burst onto the scene after impressing manager Erol Bulut during pre-season. Although his first senior season was cut short by a ligament injury, Kpakio made several appearances in both league and cup before his setback. His inclusion in this training camp signals Bellamy’s belief in his long-term potential for both Cardiff and Wales.
Luey Giles, 18, features as one of the more technically gifted young defenders. Frequently praised for his calmness in possession, Giles has also been relied upon in cup fixtures and is viewed as an asset in building positional depth on the left side of defence—a point reportedly valued by Bellamy as he looks to future-proof the national team.
While attention is on the youth movement, the omission of notable names has prompted debate among Welsh supporters. Rubin Colwill and Isaak Davies, for example, are among those missing from this phase. Colwill, it is understood, recently married and was afforded time to spend with family, while Davies’ campaign was curtailed by injury. Aaron Ramsey, still recovering from injury with uncertainty lingering over his return date, has also been left out, alongside Joel Colwill, despite a strong year in lower leagues.
This selection approach hints at a changing of the guard for Wales, with Bellamy keen to assess the new generation amid the backdrop of Cardiff’s academy continuing to supply talent for both club and country. Cardiff City chairman Mehmet Dalman hailed the depth emerging from their youth system, stating: “We’ve got some of the brightest, most promising youngsters coming through the academy.”
Training will commence at the FAW’s Vale headquarters, with players undergoing intensive tactical and fitness work before the group flies to Alicante, Spain, for a warm-weather camp from 19 to 23 May. The sessions are designed not only to enhance player conditioning and team cohesion, but also to give Bellamy ample opportunity to make judgements ahead of final squad selection. The confirmed list for June’s crucial qualifiers will be revealed on 28 May.
Wales’ summer fixtures begin with a home tie against Liechtenstein at Cardiff City Stadium on 6 June, followed by an away clash against group heavyweights Belgium on 9 June. The hope is that the blend of youth and experience will galvanise the Dragons, as Bellamy embarks on a new era at the helm.
The chosen training squad also includes former Cardiff youth products now forging careers further afield, such as Gabriele Biancheri (Manchester United), Charlie Crew (Leeds United), and Lewys Benjamin (Wolves), underscoring the growing influence of Cardiff’s academy on the national set-up.
As Wales prepares for a new chapter, the eyes of the nation will be on Bellamy’s choices—anticipating whether a gamble on youth will pay dividends on the international stage.