Neco Williams Reflects on Pain of Missing World Cup, Eyes Future with Wales

Neco Williams, who has earned 55 caps for the Welsh national team, expressed his lingering disappointment over missing the opportunity to compete in this summer's World Cup. The 25-year-old defender believes that had Wales qualified, they could have made a significant impact in the tournament hosted in the United States.

The team's hopes were dashed following a semi-final loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs, a defeat that stung especially for Williams, who was unable to convert his penalty during the shootout. “I think the most disappointing thing about not getting to the tournament is I feel if we had got there, we would have given it a real go,” Williams told BBC Sport Wales, highlighting the team's potential for success.

As Wales prepares for friendly matches against Ghana and Romania, Williams sees these games as a stepping stone towards future competitions, particularly with the European Championships on the horizon in 2028, which will be co-hosted with England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland. “The fans have got to stick with us, believe in us as players and the manager and the good times will come,” he added, emphasizing the need for unity in the face of disappointment.

The road ahead includes the Nations League, where Wales will face tough opponents like Portugal, Denmark, and Norway this autumn. Williams, who joined Nottingham Forest from Liverpool for £12 million in July 2022, noted the positive changes implemented by manager Craig Bellamy since his arrival. “Since he's come in, he's changed so much within the team,” Williams remarked, optimistic about the squad's growth and future prospects.

Despite his club's struggles in the past season, where they narrowly escaped relegation, Williams' consistent performance earned him the title of Forest's player of the year. With three years remaining on his current contract, he hinted at ongoing discussions for an extension while focusing on the upcoming international fixtures. “I've got representatives to sort that kind of stuff out but I'm just enjoying my football,” he stated, looking ahead to the next chapter in his career and the chance to represent Wales on a major stage once more.