Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio has been named in the Wales squad for World Cup qualifiers in a stunning move that sees the 18-year-old receive his first senior international call-up after a mere single league start for the Bluebirds. The news, which broke this morning, has sent ripples of excitement and surprise throughout Welsh football. Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has included the young right-back in his 27-man squad for the upcoming crucial clashes against Liechtenstein and Belgium in June.
The inclusion of Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio comes as a bolt from the blue for many. Having only celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday, the defender has enjoyed a rapid ascent through the ranks. He did, however, captain Wales at various youth levels, hinting at the potential that Bellamy has clearly seen. Kpakio signed his first professional contract with Cardiff City last July, marking the beginning of what many hoped would be a promising career. His senior debut for the club came a month later in the Carabao Cup.
While he did make his Sky Bet Championship debut as a second-half substitute against Sheffield United in December, his progress was unfortunately hampered by a leg surgery in January, which kept him sidelined for several months. This makes his inclusion in the Wales squad for World Cup qualifiers even more remarkable. Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio finally made his full league debut for the Bluebirds on the final day of the Championship season against Norwich, a moment that now appears to have been a significant audition for the national team manager.
Bellamy’s decision to include Kpakio and Leeds midfielder Charlie Crew, who impressed on loan at Doncaster, suggests a forward-thinking approach to these vital World Cup qualifiers. Both youngsters featured in the recent Wales training camp held in Cardiff and Spain, indicating that Bellamy has been closely assessing their capabilities.
Shock Wales call-up for Cardiff full-back Ronan Kpakio. 18 on Sunday, just one Championship start. Still listed as U21 player on Cardiff website. pic.twitter.com/9lqEs7k53D
— Phil Blanche 🏴 (@philblanche) May 28, 2025
Who is Ronan Kpakio?
The whisper is surrounding the fans, “Who is Ronan Kpakio?”. The young defender joined the Cardiff City academy at the age of eight and has consistently impressed through the youth ranks. Known for his athleticism and intelligence on the pitch, Kpakio has also demonstrated leadership qualities as a captain for Wales at the youth level. He earned his first international cap for Wales in a friendly match against Gibraltar last summer, providing an early taste of the senior international stage.
Despite his limited senior appearances – just six in total for Cardiff across all competitions – Bellamy has clearly been monitoring his development with keen interest. In fact, Bellamy revealed he had been tracking Kpakio even during his time with Burnley’s coaching staff, highlighting the long-standing admiration for the young talent.
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy on Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio’s Inclusion
Wales head coach Craig Bellamy spoke about his decision, stating in the media, “I’ve known Ronan since he was very, very young, I’ve kept an eye on him. Even last year we wanted to buy him for Burnley, so I’m fully aware, I’ve watched him – especially over the last couple of years, his progression has been outstanding. His potential can be ridiculously high; he’s very athletic, very intelligent. If he wasn’t injured, I would have had him in March, as he’s a player, especially in the right-back position… where we don’t have a big area [of selection choices] in there, so we really need to start developing players in that position. He’s the perfect profile for that.”
This bold selection by Bellamy is further contextualized by the return of key players Ethan Ampadu and Harry Wilson to the Wales squad for World Cup qualifiers after recovering from injuries. However, captain Aaron Ramsey remains unavailable following his hamstring surgery in March, while Joe Allen, who recently retired, and Kai Andrews and Tom Lawrence, who were involved in the previous qualifiers, are also absent.
Charlie Crew is Another Surprise
Charlie Crew, the other young inclusion, has also earned his place after a successful loan spell at Doncaster, where he played a key role in their League Two title triumph. His inclusion alongside Kpakio signifies Bellamy’s intent to blend experience with youthful exuberance as Wales aim to secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Wales currently sit second in Group J, having secured a 3-1 victory against Kazakhstan at home and a 1-1 draw in North Macedonia in their opening two qualifiers. Their upcoming matches see them host group minnows Liechtenstein on June 6 before a challenging away fixture against Belgium in Brussels three days later. Group favourites Belgium are yet to begin their qualification campaign, having been involved in Nations League action earlier this year.
The inclusion of Cardiff defender Ronan Kpakio is undoubtedly the headline from the squad announcement. His journey, from a single league start to a potential World Cup qualifier appearance in a matter of days, is a testament to his talent and the faith that Wales head coach Craig Bellamy has in his potential. Football fans across Wales will be eagerly watching to see if this surprise call-up translates into a senior debut on the pitch, marking the beginning of what could be a remarkable international career for the young Cardiff City prospect. The focus now shifts to the upcoming qualifiers, with all eyes on whether Kpakio will get his chance to shine on the biggest stage.
Wales Squad for World Cup Qualifiers Against Liechtenstein and Belgium:
Goalkeepers: Karl Darlow (Leeds), Danny Ward (Leicester), Adam Davies (Sheff Utd)
Defenders: Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Jay Dasilva (Coventry), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Ronan Kpakio (Cardiff), Ben Davies (Tottenham), Chris Mepham (Sunderland, on loan from Bournemouth), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Joe Rodon (Leeds)
Midfielders: Josh Sheehan (Bolton), Charlie Crew (Doncaster, on loan from Leeds), Ethan Ampadu (Leeds), Jordan James (Rennes), Ollie Cooper (Swansea), Harry Wilson (Fulham), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Sorba Thomas (Nantes, on loan from Huddersfield), Liam Cullen (Swansea)
Forwards: Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich), Lewis Koumas (Stoke, on loan from Liverpool), Rabbi Matondo (Hannover, on loan from Rangers), Kieffer Moore (Sheff Utd), Mark Harris (Oxford), Brennan Johnson (Tottenham), Daniel James (Leeds).
