Wales hoping World Cup 2026 draw will open up chance to face old rivals England in Wembley clash

WALES believe they are front runners for a lucrative friendly with England at Wembley if the stars align at today’s 2026 World Cup draw.

The Dragons have not played at the 90,000-capacity home of English football in front of a crowd since September 2011.

AP

Wales last played arch rivals England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar[/caption]

Craig Bellamy has had a super start to his Wales managerial career with a record of six games unbeatenAlamy

But SunSport understands that if the two Home Nations avoid each other in the qualifying draw in Zurich then Welsh chiefs are keen to line up a fixture against their old rivals.

Craig Bellamy’s men won promotion to the top tier of the Nations League last month and, as a result, they will not be involved in any March play-off just like England.

League B winners Wales, who thrashed Iceland 4-1 in Cardiff, could be drawn in a four or five team group for the qualifiers leading to the 2026 finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

In a five team group, qualifiers would be played in March and June.

But a group of four would see the Dragons have four friendly dates before the qualifying process starts in September.

Bellamy has started his managerial tenure with an impressive six-match unbeaten run.

And a stern test against England would be ideal in their development. 

Wales last played the Three Lions at the 2022 World Cup where ex-boss Robert Page saw his men lose 3-0 in Qatar.

The teams also competed against each other in the Euro 2016 group stages with Daniel Sturridge scoring a last-gasp winner to beat Chris Coleman’s semi-finalists 2-1 in Lens.

Former Wales manager Ryan Giggs took a side for a friendly against England at Wembley in October 2020.

But that was during Covid so restrictions meant there were no supporters present for the Three Lions’ 3-0 victory.

The last time the sides played a competitive Wembley clash with a full house came 13 years ago when Ashley Young’s winner handed England a Euro 2012 qualifying victory.

Gary Speed’s young side including Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey showed big signs of promise on the night.

And the visitors would have secured a draw only for Robert Earnshaw to miss an open goal late on.