OCTOBER INTERNATIONAL BREAK - REFLECTION AND HOPE AHEAD AS CYMRU WELCOME BELGIUM TO CARDIFF AGAIN

Aimee Palmer
Oct 13
4 min read

By Aimee Palmer

In a historic and emotional moment at Wembley Stadium, adults living with dementia led the England and Cymru teams onto the pitch ahead of their international friendly on Thursday night. This powerful initiative was delivered through a partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and The Football Association (FA).

Rather than the traditional child mascots, 22 adults living with dementia took their place alongside the players, singing national anthems and stepping into a spotlight. All of the mascots were Alzheimer’s Society service users, nominated either by football clubs and foundations or through independent dementia services and cafés.

Chris Griffiths, one of the mascots selected and a Cymru and Cardiff City supporter, told BBC what life has been like since his diagnosis and the support he has received.

“The people around me have been great all of them, even the kids. When I met more people, it got better. Now I feel I can get out to certain places, which is nice," he said.

This initiative aimed to raise awareness of the ongoing impact of dementia, which affects around one million people in the UK, a number projected to rise to 1.4 million by 2040. Dementia is one of the UK’s biggest killers, and the Alzheimer’s Society is urging fans to support their cause by donating, campaigning, or seeking help for themselves or loved ones.

During the second half of the friendly the players returned to the pitch with a powerful statement. No names appeared on the back of shirts. This was to highlight one of the most common symptoms of the condition, memory loss.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) also voiced their support. Noel Mooney, CEO of the FAW, said: “At the FAW, we believe football has the unique power to bring people together, to unite communities, and to shine a light on important issues like dementia. That’s why we are proud to stand alongside Alzheimer’s Society and The FA in this historic moment at Wembley Stadium.

By walking out with fans living with dementia, we send a clear message that nobody should face dementia alone. It takes a united team, on and off the pitch, to provide the care, compassion, and understanding needed to support those affected by this condition.”

Since becoming the official charity partner of The FA in 2021, Alzheimer’s Society has raised over £1.3 million to support its vital work. As part of this collaboration, Wembley Stadium has also taken steps to become the first national stadium in the UK to be more inclusive for people affected by dementia. It has made improvements to ticketing services and staff training ensuring that all fans can continue to enjoy the game we love.

And as Cymru prepare to take on Belgium tonight at Cardiff City Stadium, the spirit of that Wembley moment lingers. Both nations have a track record of using football to make a difference.

In Belgium, similar initiatives have emerged through the Royal Belgian Football Association’s “Football Memories” programme - a social project that brings together older fans, including those living with dementia, to reminisce about classic matches, iconic players, and the shared joy of the game. The scheme mirrors a growing movement across Europe: using football as a way to spark connection, memory and belonging.

Tonight's matchday graphic designed by Visually Speaking Studios for the FA Wales.

So as Craig Bellamy’s side look to improve on their performance at Wembley, and Belgium aim to regain their form, there’s something bigger at play than just the result. Football has once again shown that it can cross borders, generations, and experiences - reminding us all that nobody should face dementia alone.

From Wembley’s emotional anthem to tonight’s roar in Cardiff, the message remains the same: football is more than a game. It’s a lifeline, a memory, and sometimes, the one thing that still feels familiar to so many.

Match Preview

When & Where

Kick-off: 7:45 pm BST, Monday 13 October 2025

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium

TV/Live Coverage: BBC One Wales, BBC Three, S4C and BBC Sport online

Stakes & Group Picture

In Group J of 2026 World Cup qualifying, North Macedonia lead with 12 points from six matches, while Belgium have 11 and Cymru 10 - though both still have a game in hand.
A win for either Cymru or Belgium tonight would likely shift the momentum toward automatic qualifying (top two spots).
Belgium, coming off a 0-0 draw with North Macedonia in Ghent, will want a return to scoring form. They dominated possession (25 shots to 3) yet failed to convert.
For Cymru, the friendly defeat 3-0 to England at Wembley was a chastening result. But under Craig Bellamy, they’ve shown an appetite to bounce back.

Belgium — Strengths, Weaknesses & Storylines

Belgium are historically the more successful side in head-to-heads: in 18 meetings, they’ve won 8, Cymru 5, with the rest draws.
Their squad still features stars like Kevin De Bruyne, who leads Belgium’s scoring in this qualification phase (4 goals)
Jérémy Doku also looms as a threat - known for his pace, dribbling, and ability to unsettle defences.
But their finishing has been in question. In the North Macedonia match, Belgium’s attacking stats were herculean yet unfulfilled.
Another red flag: on the road, Belgium have struggled recently - winning only once in their last ten away fixtures.
Injury-wise, striker Romelu Lukaku remains sidelined (thigh injury). Belgium may adjust by pushing Lois Openda or Leandro Trossard forward.

Cymru — What They’ll Need

Cymru need this game more than Belgium; a win would keep their automatic hopes alive.
Their home record is a plus - Cymru have avoided defeat in the last three occasions when Belgium visited Cardiff.
They will want sharper performances from attacking players like Brennan Johnson, Harry Wilson, Kieffer Moore, and David Brooks.
In the reverse fixture in Brussels, Cymru were very nearly champions of fightback: they went down 3-0 early, drew level, but lost late to De Bruyne.
As always, defensive organisation will be vital - if Cymru can prevent Belgium from converting their chances, they might snatch something.

Need something to get you ready for the game? Listen to or watch the Rob and Blakey podcast, featuring HGT Cymru's Founder, Roopa Vyas.